At least nine people, including the perpetrator, are killed, and 27 are injured in a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and at a residence in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada.

On February 10, 2026, a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., left eight people dead, including six children, and the shooter, after attacks at her home and the local secondary school.

Overview of the Incident

The shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, first killed her mother and 11-year-old half-brother at their home on Fellers Avenue in Tumbler Ridge, a small town of about 2,400 residents, before heading to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. At the school, she opened fire with a modified rifle and a long gun, killing six people—five students and one educator—and injuring 27 others. The shooter then took her own life shortly after police arrived.

Timeline of Events

• 1:20 p.m. MST: RCMP received reports of an active shooter at the school and issued a community-wide lockdown.
• 2:22 p.m. local time: Officers arrived at the school to locate the threat and found multiple victims, including the deceased shooter.
• The attack at the school occurred approximately 1.5 kilometres from the shooter’s home.

Victims

Among the victims were six children aged 11 to 13 and two adults, including the shooter’s mother. The children were remembered as talented, kind, and resilient, with personal stories highlighting their artistic and athletic abilities. Families and the community have been deeply affected, with vigils and memorials held to honor the victims.

Community and National Impact

The shooting is considered one of the deadliest school shootings in Canadian history, second only to the École Polytechnique massacre in 1989, and the deadliest mass shooting in Canada since the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks. The small town of Tumbler Ridge, known for its close-knit community, has been profoundly impacted, with local leaders and international figures sending condolences. The school was closed for the remainder of the week, and emergency services provided support to survivors and families.

Response and Aftermath

The RCMP and local authorities responded quickly, issuing emergency alerts and placing the town under lockdown . Medical services treated 25 people, with some sustaining serious or life-threatening injuries ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). The tragedy has prompted national reflection on school safety and gun control, though Canada has strict firearms regulations, including bans on certain assault-style weapons.
The Tumbler Ridge shooting remains a rare and devastating event in Canada, highlighting the vulnerability of small communities to such tragedies and the importance of emergency preparedness and mental health support.