Tragedy in Tumbler Ridge: Nine Dead in One of Canada’s Deadliest Mass Shootings

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — A remote community in British Columbia is in mourning after an 18-year-old woman killed eight people, including her own family members and several young students, before taking her own life at a local secondary school on Tuesday.

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The Timeline of Events

The violence began at a private residence where the suspect, identified by the RCMP as Jesse Van Rootselaar, killed her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother. A young relative managed to escape and alert a neighbor, but by the time police arrived, Van Rootselaar had traveled to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

At approximately 1:20 p.m. PT, the suspect opened fire inside the school, primarily in the library. The victims at the school include:

• A 39-year-old female teacher.
• Five students between the ages of 12 and 13.
• Two additional victims remain in critical condition at a regional hospital.

The Suspect and Mental Health History

Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald confirmed that Van Rootselaar was a former student who had dropped out four years prior. Police provided the following details regarding her background:

• Identity: She was a trans woman who began her social transition six years ago.
• Mental Health: She had been apprehended multiple times under the Mental Health Act for assessment. Police had visited her family home frequently for wellness checks.
• Firearms: While she previously held a firearms license that expired in 2024, investigators found a long gun and a modified handgun at the scene. Authorities confirmed that firearms had previously been seized from the home but were returned following a legal appeal by the owner.

National Mourning and Response

A visibly shaken Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the media, postponing an international trip to support the community. “Tumbler Ridge represents the very best of Canada,” Carney stated, describing the town as a tight-knit community of miners and educators.

Key Responses:

• Flags at Half-Mast: Federal buildings will fly flags at half-mast for seven days.
• Parliamentary Action: A moment of silence was observed in the House of Commons.
• Global Condolences: King Charles and other world leaders have sent messages of support to the victims’ families.

Historical Context

This attack stands as one of the deadliest in Canadian history, drawing comparisons to the 2020 Nova Scotia rampage (22 killed) and the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre (14 killed). While Canada maintains strict gun control, this event has reignited national conversations regarding mental health intervention and firearm accessibility.