Executive summary: A mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, has left nine people dead, including six children, in one of Canada’s deadliest such incidents, plunging the close-knit community into profound grief.
On Tuesday, February 11, 2026, an 18-year-old shooter, identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, initiated the attack by killing her mother and step-brother at their home before proceeding to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. There, she opened fire, resulting in the deaths of five students and an educator, with the shooter later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident occurred around 13:30 local time, forcing students and staff into a harrowing lockdown that lasted over two hours as police responded.
The victims, ranging in age from 11 to 13, have been identified and remembered by their families as kind, talented, and resilient children. Zoey Benoit, 12, was described as ‘the strongest little girl,’ while Kylie Smith, also 12, aspired to attend art school in Toronto and was a skilled figure skater. Ticaria Lampert, 12, was known for her humor and energy, her mother calling her a ‘tiki torch’ powered by love. The loss has left families shattered, with parents expressing unimaginable grief over futures cut short.
Tumbler Ridge, a remote town of approximately 2,400 residents nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is grappling with the aftermath. Known for its tight-knit community and picturesque scenery, the town has seen an outpouring of support, with memorials of flowers, teddy bears, and candles growing outside the school and community center. Residents, many of whom knew the victims personally, are united in sorrow, with local pastor Tracy Krauss noting, ‘Everybody knows somebody affected,’ highlighting the pervasive impact.
Investigations by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reveal that the shooter had a history of mental health concerns, with previous police visits to the family home. Firearms had been seized from the home in the past but were later returned after a successful petition by the owner, raising questions about gun control and mental health protocols. RCMP confirmed that the shooter’s gun licence had expired in 2024, and they are examining how the weapons, a long gun and a modified handgun, were obtained.
The first responders, including Sgt. Bill Hughes and three other officers, were praised for their ‘immeasurable bravery’ in confronting the active shooter. The community has received trauma counselling, and additional police resources have been deployed to support the local detachment. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, have postponed regular activities, with Carney scheduled to visit Tumbler Ridge for a vigil, emphasizing national solidarity.
This tragedy has ignited broader conversations about mental health support, firearm regulations, and community safety in Canada. As Tumbler Ridge mourns, the focus is on healing, with long-term implications for policy and prevention. The town, while shrouded in grief, aims to be remembered for its resilience and beauty, rather than the violence that has temporarily defined it.
