Canadian police officially identified the victims of Tuesday’s mass school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
Six were killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, including students Abel Mwansa, 12; Ezekiel Schofield, 13; Kylie Smith, 12; Zoey Benoit, 12; and Ticaria Lampert, 12; and educator Shannda Aviugana-Durand, 39.
Police identified the suspected shooter as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who allegedly attacked the school after killing her 39-year-old mother, Jennifer Jacobs, and 11-year-old stepbrother, Emmett Jacobs, at a nearby home.
The shooting also wounded multiple children, including to Maya Gebala, 12.
The girl was reportedly trying to lock the door when she was shot.
“We were warned that the damage to her brain was too much for her to endure, and she wouldn't make the night,” her mother wrote in a post on Facebook. “Our baby needs a miracle.”
Rootselaar was found dead with what police believe was a self-inflicted wound.
Investigators have not identified a motive for the shooting.
Key Points
- Police name eight people killed in Tumbler Ridge attack
- Jesse Van Rootselaar: What we know about Canadian teen who killed eight, including six kids
- 'We need a miracle': 12-year-old girl remains in critical condition after shooting
- PM Mark Carney says 'Canada stands by' those who lost loved ones in shooting - watch
- Everything we know about the Tumbler Ridge shooting victims
- Suspect's motive still unclear
Premiers offer condolences
Wednesday 11 February 2026 17:00 , Ariana BaioAlberta Premier Danielle Smith: “I can only imagine the absolute devastation that the students, families, staff, and entire community must be feeling right now… To the families grieving, the friends and classmates who are also impacted, and the first responders on the ground – know that Alberta and the whole of Canada is thinking of you and our hearts go out to you and your community.”
Scott Moe, the Premier of Saskatchewan: “Horrifying news from Tumbler Ridge, B.C. Our prayers are with the families of the victims, those injured, and everyone in the community.”
Wab Kinew, the Premier of Manitoba: “Our thoughts are with the people of Tumbler Ridge... Schools should always be places of safety and care. Manitoba stands with our friends and relatives in British Columbia as they grieve this heartbreaking loss.”
Premier of New Brunswick Susan Holt: “My heart breaks for the families, friends, and entire community of Tumbler Ridge... During times like these, we come together with compassion to support one another, and ensure that every family affected feels the strength of our care and unity.
Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador: “On behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, I extend our sincerest condolences to the families, friends, students, educators, and first responders affected by this senseless act of violence.”
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston: “My thoughts are with the families, survivors, and entire community of Tumbler Ridge, BC, after the horrific attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Nova Scotia stands in solidarity with British Columbia during this tragic time.”
Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario: “My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and everyone who was impacted by the terrible shooting that took place yesterday in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. I’m praying for a full recovery for all those who were injured in the attack. Ontario stands ready to support the people of British Columbia however we can.”
Quebec Premier Francois Legault: “I am deeply saddened by the shooting that occurred in British Columbia. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those affected. Quebec stands in solidarity with British Columbia during this ordeal. Thank you to the first responders for their courage.”
Yukon Premier Currie Dixon: “Heartbreaking. We’re thinking of our friends and neighbours in BC as we grapple with this tragedy.”
US Ambassador to Canada says 'hearts and prayers' are with community
Wednesday 11 February 2026 17:30 , Ariana BaioPete Hoekstra, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, said “hearts and prayers” are with Tumbler Ridge and all of British Columbia after a deadly mass shooting.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the community of Tumbler Ridge and all of British Columbia today. My personal prayer is that in these difficult times, they find the peace and comfort that only He can provide,” Hoekstra said Wednesday morning.
Our hearts and prayers are with the community of Tumbler Ridge and all of British Columbia today. My personal prayer is that in these difficult times, they find the peace and comfort that only He can provide.
— Ambassador Pete Hoekstra (@USAmbCanada) February 11, 2026
Family of 12-year-old girl recovering from gunshot says she 'made it through the night'
Wednesday 11 February 2026 18:00 , Ariana BaioThe family of a 12-year-old girl who was critically injured in a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School said she underwent surgery to stop bleeding and “made it through the night,” on a GoFundMe page.
The 12-year-old, named Maya, was taken to a children’s hospital in Vancouver to receive treatment for a gunshot injury that she sustained, her mother, Cia, said in a Facebook post Tuesday. A GoFundMe was set up by Cia’s cousin to assist the family in medical treatment payments.
In an update Wednesday afternoon, Krysta Hunt thanked donors for contributing to the medical fund and said Maya underwent surgery to help stop bleeding as a first step toward recovery.
“We are still in a very risky state, and care and long term recovery is unknown,” Hunt wrote.
The GoFundMe, which has yet to be verified by the organization, raised more than $40,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School offers mental health services for families
Wednesday 11 February 2026 18:30 , Ariana BaioMembers of the Tumbler Ridge community who are processing the devastating shooting that rattled the small town are being invited to the Tumbler Ridge Community Center, where mental health professionals will be available.
On the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School website, administrators have provided several resources to parents to help their children process the traumatic event.
“There is no timeline for how each of us will process this grief and immense loss, both individually and as a community. While words often feel inadequate in the face of such loss, coming together can help reduce isolation and remind us that we are not alone,” the message from the school reads.
Schools are closed for the rest of the week.
Watch: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney becomes emotional discussing Tumbler Ridge deadly shooting
Wednesday 11 February 2026 19:00 , Independent VideoCarney cancels trip to Munich
Wednesday 11 February 2026 19:30 , Ariana BaioPrime Minister Mark Carney has canceled a planned overseas trip to Munich, Germany, for the Munich Security Conference this week after the deadly mass shooting.
"The prime minister is remaining in the National Capital Region at this time, and we can confirm that previously announced travel for the coming days has been cancelled," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
In his place, the defence minister, foreign affairs minister and AI minister will travel to Germany.
Suspected shooter identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar
Wednesday 11 February 2026 20:00 , Ariana BaioThe Royal Canadian Mounted Police identified 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar as the suspected shooter.
Police said they had visited the home of the suspected shooter in the past due to “mental health issues.”
The suspected shooter is believed to have fatally shot her mother and younger male sibling at her home before opening fire at the school, police said.
Dwayne McDonald, the deputy commissioner for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia, said that the suspect was born biologically male but had begun transitioning to a woman approximately six years ago.
Shooter fatally shot mother and younger sibling
Wednesday 11 February 2026 20:04 , Ariana BaioPolice said the adult woman and male youth who were found deceased at the private residence were identified as the mother and brother or stepbrother of the suspected shooter.
Five students, aged 12-13, were killed
Wednesday 11 February 2026 20:22 , Ariana BaioCanadian officials said that a total of five students were killed in Tuesday’s shooting, ranging from 12 to 13 years old.
Three 12-year-old female students were among those fatally shot, as well as a 12-year-old male.
Another male student, 13 years old, was also killed.
Police revise death toll numbers to nine
Wednesday 11 February 2026 20:45 , Ariana BaioPolice in Canada said Wednesday afternoon nine people, including the shooter, had died in the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting – revising earlier numbers that claimed 10 people died.
Officials said in a press conference that an individual who was critically injured was believed to have died on the way to the hospital. However, that individual is still alive and in critical condition.
Son of pastor is among the victims
Wednesday 11 February 2026 21:00 , Ariana BaioThe 12-year-old son of Pastor Abel Mwansa and Bwalya Chisanga is among the children who were fatally shot in a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday.
The boy was identified as Abel Mwsana Jr. in a Facebook post by Burning Bush Ministries, City of Grace Chapel.
“The loss has brought profound grief to the family, the church, and all who knew and loved him.”
Authorities recovered a long gun and modified handgun
Wednesday 11 February 2026 21:30 , Ariana BaioTwo firearms were recovered from the scene – a long gun and a modified handgun.
It is unclear who the firearms were registered to. While the suspect had a gun license that expired in 2024, she did not have any firearms registered to her.
Authorities said the home where the suspect lived had a history of secured firearms.
Watch: Canada school shooting leaves nine dead as female suspect is identified
Wednesday 11 February 2026 22:00 , Independent VideoYoung female altered police to home shooting
Wednesday 11 February 2026 22:30 , Ariana BaioAuthorities said a young female resident living in the home where the shooter killed their mother and younger stepbrother went to a neighbor’s house to call police.
McDonald said police received a call from the home around 2:47 p.m. local time – after receiving an alert from the school of an active shooter.
In Photos: Tumbler Ridge reels from devastating mass shooting
Wednesday 11 February 2026 23:00 , Independent Staff
British Columbia will have day of mourning Thursday
Wednesday 11 February 2026 23:30 , Ariana BaioThursday will be a day of mourning for the Canadian province of British Columbia after the tragic shooting that left eight people dead.
Members of the legislature will hear a speech dedicated to the people of Tumbler Ridge.
Motive is still unclear
Thursday 12 February 2026 00:00 , Ariana BaioWhat compelled the 18-year-old suspect to open fire in her private residence and a local high school is still unclear to authorities.
Investigators said Wednesday afternoon that they are still looking at a motive but said that the suspect was not currently attending school at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
It’s unclear if the suspect’s family had any connection to the school.
No information suggesting suspected shooter was bullied: police
Thursday 12 February 2026 00:20 , Rachel DobkinCanadian police said Wednesday there's no information suggesting the suspected Tumbler Ridge shooter was bullied in school.
Dwayne McDonald, the deputy commissioner for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia, said 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar was a biological male but began transitioning to a woman about six years ago.
A reporter had asked McDonald about “any information you have regarding Jesse experiencing bullying at the school [or] any sort of difficulty at the school because of the transition from male to female,” per the BBC.
McDonald said he had no information suggesting difficulty at school, including bullying, but noted she stopped attending school about four years ago.
Everything we know about Canadian teen who killed eight, including six kids, according to police
Thursday 12 February 2026 00:40 , Ariana Baio and Owen ScottCanadian police identified an 18-year-old as the perpetrator who fatally shot six people at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and two others at a private residence Tuesday in what is one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings.
Officials said Jesse Van Rootselaar killed her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at their home before opening fire at the high school. Five students, aged 12 to 13, and one 39-year-old female educator were killed.
Police said the suspect was born biologically male but had been transitioning to female over the past six years. She was not a student at the school but it was not immediately clear if she had previously studied at Tumbler Ridge Secondary.
A motive for the shooting is unclear, but police said they had made multiple visits to the suspect’s home over the last several years for concerns about mental health issues.
Read on...
What we know about the Tumbler Ridge school shooting suspect in Canada
UN secretary-general shares condolences for 'tragic' shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 01:00 , Rachel DobkinAntónio Guterres, secretary-general for the United Nations, shared his condolences through a spokesperson, who called the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge “tragic.”
“[Mr. Guterres] extends his deepest condolences to those affected and his sympathies to the Government and people of Canada,” Stéphane Dujarric said at a news briefing Wednesday.
UN Secretary-General expresses deep sadness over the deadly school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, extending condolences to those affected and sympathies to the Government and people of Canada.https://t.co/uellRgh8uX pic.twitter.com/OqobgqO0oV
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) February 11, 2026
Police say they visited suspected shooter's home last spring over 'self harm' concerns
Thursday 12 February 2026 01:20 , Rachel DobkinCanadian police said Wednesday that they visited the home of the 18-year-old girl suspected of carrying out the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge last spring over “self harm” concerns.
Dwayne McDonald, deputy commissioner for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia, said that authorities visited Jesse Van Rootselaar’s home “on multiple occasions over the past several years, dealing with concerns of mental health with respect to our suspect.”
McDonald said that before the shooting, police last visited the home in the “spring of last year” over “concerns regarding mental health, self harm.”
Candlelit vigil for shooting victims to be held tonight
Thursday 12 February 2026 01:40 , Rachel DobkinA candlelit vigil for the victims of the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge will be held at the British Columbia Legislature at 7 p.m. local time tonight.
— Nina Krieger (@NinaKriegerBC) February 12, 2026
Everything we know about the Tumbler Ridge shooting victims
Thursday 12 February 2026 02:00 , Rachel DobkinEight people, including six children, were killed in a deadly mass shooting that rocked Tumbler Ridge, a small, close-knit community located in British Columbia.
Among those killed Tuesday are Abel Mwansa Jr. and Kylie May, both 12, according to their families. Police are yet to release the victims’ identities.
More than 25 other people were injured in the shooting that has become one of the deadliest to occur in Canada, according to initial police estimates. The suspected shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who police say killed her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at a nearby home before opening fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, was also found dead with a “self-inflicted injury.”
Police said the teenager was born biologically male but had been transitioning to female over the past six years. She was not a student at the school but it was not immediately clear if she had previously studied at Tumbler Ridge Secondary.
Read on...
Canada mass shooting victims, including students, mourned by community
Watch: Mark Carney says 'Canada stands by' those who lost loved ones in shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 02:20 , Rachel DobkinTo the families in Tumbler Ridge who woke up today without someone they love, Canada mourns with you. pic.twitter.com/qQms9S2TKh
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) February 11, 2026
In pictures: Candlelit vigil held for Tumbler Ridge shooting victims
Thursday 12 February 2026 02:41 , Rachel Dobkin
In pictures: Tumbler Ridge school blocked with police tape
Thursday 12 February 2026 03:00 , Rachel Dobkin
Canadian politician urges Tumbler Ridge community to seek counseling services after shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 03:20 , Rachel DobkinLarry Neufeld, a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, has urged people in Tumbler Ridge to seek counseling services after Tuesday’s mass shooting.
“Today, our hearts are shattered,” he wrote on X Wednesday. “Grief, shock, anger, fear. These are heavy burdens to carry alone. Please, do not carry them alone.”
He said that free counseling services were available, writing, “Seeking help is not a sign of weakness; it is an act of courage and care for yourself and your loved ones.”
To the incredible people of Timber Ridge,
— Larry Neufeld - MLA Peace River South (@LarryNeufeldCon) February 12, 2026
Today, our hearts are shattered. What happened at our school is something no community should ever have to endure. Our children, our educators, our families, they are the heart of Tumbler Ridge. And right now, that heart is hurting.
In…
Tumbler Ridge mayor asked his community to lean on each other amid their grief
Thursday 12 February 2026 03:41 , Rachel DobkinTumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka asked his community Wednesday to lean on each other amid their grief.
"Lend your ear when somebody needs your ear. Lend your shoulder when somebody needs your shoulder," he said at a news conference, per CBC, after eight people wre killed in a mass shooting Tuesday.
British Columbia premier gets emotional over hospitalized young girl
Thursday 12 February 2026 04:00 , Rachel DobkinBritish Columbia Premier David Eby got emotional at a news conference when mentioning a young girl who was hospitalized from the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting.
Eby said Wednesday he was praying for the girl who is fighting for her life, per CBC.
Canadian police said eight people, including six children, were killed in the shooting and another two victims were airlifted to the hospital with “significant injuries.”
Pictured: Montreal bridge honors Tumbler Ridge shooting victims
Thursday 12 February 2026 04:20 , Rachel Dobkin
GoFundMe page says 12-year-old girl among those injured in shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 04:30 , Rachel DobkinA GoFundMe page has been created, identifying a 12-year-old girl named Maya as one of the victims injured in the shooting.
Krysta Hunt, the cousin of Maya’s mother, Cia Edmonds, organized the fundraiser to support the young girl through her recovery. More than $192,700 has already been raised.
“All we know is that Maya made it through transport from Tumbler Ridge to Vancouver Children’s Hospital and currently in critical care,” Krysta wrote on the page verified by CNN. The Independent has not verified the fundraiser, and authorities have yet to release the names of those injured in the shooting.
In a note from Maya’s mother included on the page, she said her daughter is “fighting for her life while they try to repair the damage” from a gunshot wound to the head and neck.
Tumbler Ridge mayor says community is 'shaken' after mass shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 04:40 , Rachel DobkinTumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka has said his community is “shaken” after eight people, including six children, were killed in a mass shooting Tuesday.
“We are devastated by the loss of life and the profound impact this tragedy has had on families, students, staff, and our entire district and region,” Krakowka said in a statement Wednesday, per CNN. “Our community has been shaken by this tragedy.”
The mayor thanked “brave teachers, administrators, students and first responders” in the wake of the shooting.
What to know about Tumbler Ridge
Thursday 12 February 2026 05:00 , Rachel DobkinTumbler Ridge in British Columbia, Canada, was rocked by a mass shooting Tuesday.
The close-knit community has a population of just 2,700, according to the Associated Press.
It’s located in the Canadian Rockies, more than 600 miles northeast of Vancouver, the AP reported.
In pictures: Canadian flags fly at half mast
Thursday 12 February 2026 06:00 , Rachel Dobkin
What to know about Canada's gun laws
Thursday 12 February 2026 07:00 , Rachel DobkinCanada saw one of the deadliest shootings in the country’s history in Tumbler Ridge on Tuesday, despite having strict gun laws.
The country has banned more than 2,500 makes and models of assault-style firearms since May 2020, the Associated Press reported. The massive ban happened after a gunman killed 13 people in Nova Scotia in April 2020.
A national freeze on the purchase of handguns took effect in October 2022.
Tumbler Ridge shooting victim went to church every Sunday: report
Thursday 12 February 2026 07:33 , Rachel DobkinOne of the eight victims of a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge went to church every Sunday, Canadian broadcaster CBC reported.
Linda Muise, a church leader at New Life Assembly, said a 12-year-old boy who was killed on Tuesday always came to Sunday service.
"Always a smile on his face, pleasant boy,” she told CBC. “He was a friend with my grandson and my grandson would come here every summer for a holiday and they would hang together.”
Watch: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney becomes emotional discussing Tumbler Ridge deadly shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 07:46 , Rachel DobkinPolice say suspected shooter 'acted alone' as they try to piece together what happened in Tumbler Ridge
Thursday 12 February 2026 08:02 , Alex CroftDwayne McDonald, deputy commissioner for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia, has said suspected shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, “acted alone” as Canadian authorities try to piece together what happened in Tumbler Ridge Tuesday.
“We understand the community has questions and wants to understand the motive behind this tragic incident. We do believe the suspect acted alone and there are currently no other outstanding suspects,” McDonald said in a statement. “Our investigators remain on scene, actively gathering information to determine the full circumstances of what transpired.”
In pictures: Tumbler Ridge holds emotional vigil
Thursday 12 February 2026 08:20 , Alex Croft
‘Difficult conversations to have’: PM Mark Carney mourns ten killed in Tumbler Ridge shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 08:45 , Alex CroftPolice say they visited suspected shooter's home last spring over 'self harm' concerns - ICYMI
Thursday 12 February 2026 09:16 , Alex CroftCanadian police said on Wednesday that they visited the home of the 18-year-old girl suspected of carrying out the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge last spring over “self harm” concerns.
Dwayne McDonald, deputy commissioner for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia, said that authorities visited Jesse Van Rootselaar’s home “on multiple occasions over the past several years, dealing with concerns of mental health with respect to our suspect.”
McDonald said that before the shooting, police last visited the home in the “spring of last year” over “concerns regarding mental health, self harm.”
Canadian teen who killed eight, including six kids, had ‘mental health issues’ and guns had previously been confiscated from home: police
Thursday 12 February 2026 09:41 , Alex CroftCanadian police identified an 18-year-old as the perpetrator who fatally shot six people at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and two others at a private residence Tuesday in what is one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings.
Officials said Jesse Van Rootselaar killed her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at their home before opening fire at the high school. Three 12-year-old female students, two male students ages 12 and 13, and one 39-year-old female educator were killed.
Police said the teenager was born biologically male but had been transitioning to female over the past six years. She was not a student at the school but it was not immediately clear if she had previously studied at Tumbler Ridge Secondary.
A motive for the shooting is unclear, but police said they had made multiple visits to the suspected shooter’s home over the last several years for concerns about mental health issues.
Ariana Baio and Owen Scott report everything we know about the suspected shooter:
What we know about the Tumbler Ridge school shooting suspect in Canada
In pictures: Tumbler Ridge school blocked with police tape
Thursday 12 February 2026 10:21 , Alex Croft
British Columbia premier becomes emotional over hospitalized young girl
Thursday 12 February 2026 10:49 , Alex CroftBritish Columbia Premier David Eby got emotional at a news conference when mentioning a young girl who was hospitalized from the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting.
Eby said Wednesday he was praying for the girl who is fighting for her life, per CBC.
Canadian police said eight people, including six children, were killed in the shooting and another two victims were airlifted to the hospital with “significant injuries.”
Small community of Tumbler Ridge left in anguish
Thursday 12 February 2026 11:21 , Alex CroftThe community of Tumbler Ridge has been left in utter shock.
In one anguished Facebook post, Abel Mwansa said his 12-year-old son, also named Abel, had died in the shooting. Abel had once cried when his father proposed home schooling because he loved going to school so much, his father wrote.
He raised his son, Mwansa added, to respect his elders, "be strong, work hard, put a smile on the face like I do, focus on his studies, never miss school and to be a good kid."
Another woman, Shanon Dycke, said her 12-year-old niece, Kylie May Smith, was among the victims.
"Pray for the other families who have lost their child, or are waiting to hear news," she wrote on Facebook. "Just pray for Tumbler Ridge."
The attack sent shockwaves through the tiny community.
"Everybody knows everybody," Jordon Kosik, a resident, said in an interview. "People don't lock their homes. They don't lock their cars. You can just go to your neighbor's house, just walk right in."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney becomes emotional discussing Tumbler Ridge deadly shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 11:49 , Alex CroftCanada mass shooting victims: ‘A good kid’ and a ‘beautiful, kind innocent soul’ among those mourned by close-knit community
Thursday 12 February 2026 12:11 , Alex CroftEight people, including six children, were killed in a deadly mass shooting that rocked Tumbler Ridge, a small, close-knit community located in British Columbia.
Among those killed Tuesday in what has become one of the deadliest shootings in Canadian history are Abel Mwansa Jr. and Kylie May, both 12, according to their families. Police have yet to formally identify those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
More than 25 other people were taken to a local clinic with possible injuries, but police later said no “discernible physical injuries were identified.” There were two victims with “significant injuries” airlifted to the hospital.
The suspected shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who police say killed her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at a nearby home before opening fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, was also found dead with a “self-inflicted injury.”
Ariana Baio & Rachel Dobkin report everything we know about the victims of the Tumbler Ridge shooting:
‘A beautiful innocent soul’: Teacher and six children among Canada shooting victims
Shooter's gun licence expired in 2024
Thursday 12 February 2026 12:31 , Alex CroftJesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old who is suspected to have killed eight people had a firearms licence which expired in 2024.
Police recovered a long gun and a modified handgun from the scene of Tuesday’s shooting, they said.
They had seized firearms from the family residence about two years ago but returned them after the owner, who was not identified, successfully appealed the decision, deputy commissioner Dwayne McDonald, commander of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia.
Canada has stricter gun laws than the United States, but Canadians can own firearms with a license.
Van Rootselaar previously had a firearms license, but it expired in 2024. Canadians between the ages of 12 and 17 can obtain a minor's firearms license after taking a firearms safety course and passing tests.
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School offers mental health services for families
Thursday 12 February 2026 12:50 , Alex CroftMembers of the Tumbler Ridge community who are processing the devastating shooting that rattled the small town are being invited to the Tumbler Ridge Community Center, where mental health professionals will be available.
On the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School website, administrators have provided several resources to parents to help their children process the traumatic event.
“There is no timeline for how each of us will process this grief and immense loss, both individually and as a community. While words often feel inadequate in the face of such loss, coming together can help reduce isolation and remind us that we are not alone,” the message from the school reads.
Schools are closed for the rest of the week.
In pictures: Canada pays respects to Tumbler Ridge victims
Thursday 12 February 2026 13:12 , Alex CroftCanada’s strict gun laws include a ban on assault-style firearms and a freeze on handgun sales
Thursday 12 February 2026 13:35 , Alex CroftCanada’s strict gun laws include a ban on assault-style firearms and a national freeze on the sale, purchase and transfer of handguns.
The Canadian government has banned more than 2,500 makes and models of assault-style firearms in recent years.
Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an immediate ban of more than 1,500 models on May 1, 2020, two weeks after a gunman killed 22 people in Nova Scotia. The ban included two weapons used by that gunman as well as the AR-15 and other weapons that have been used in a number of mass shootings in the United States. “Canadians need more than thoughts and prayers,” he said at the time.
Read more on Canada’s gun laws here:
Canada’s strict gun laws include a ban on assault-style firearms
'She was in the street crying': Neighbour of victim's mother recalls day of the shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 14:06 , Alex CroftShelley Quist, the mother of someone who was in lockdown in the school, said her neighbor across the street lost her 12-year-old.
"We heard his mom. She was in the street crying. She wanted her son's body," Ms Quist said.
Ms Quist said her 17-year-old son, Darian, was on lockdown for more than two hours. The provincial government website lists Tumbler Ridge Secondary School as having 175 students in grades 7 to 12.
"The grade sevens and eights, I think, were upstairs in the library, and that's where the shooter went," she said. Her son was in the library just 15 minutes prior to the attack.
Ms Quist was working at the hospital down the street when the shooting started.
"I was about to go run down to the school, but my coworker held me back. And then I was able to get Darian on the phone to know he was OK," she said.
Van Rootselaar was taken across Canada by her mother as a child
Thursday 12 February 2026 14:17 , Alex CroftMore details have emerged about the life of Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old accused of having shot and killed eight people in Tumbler Ridge.
A British Columbia Supreme Court family case file from 2015 showed that Van Rootselaar’s mother mother, Jennifer Strang, travelled around Canada with her children.
Ms Strang was one of the eight people killed in the shooting.
“These children have led an almost nomadic life, from what I have been told, with multiple moves over the last five years between Newfoundland, Grand Cache and Powell River,” Justice Anthony Saunder said in a ruling which ordered Ms Strang to allow her children telephone access to their father, CBC reported.
Ms Strang had wanted to relocate her children to Newfoundland to allow them to enter the province’s school system, according to the family court dispute. She was pregnant and “made the move to Newfoundland so she could receive support from her family”.
Facebook posts suggest a close family who celebrated Van Rootselaar birthdays and achievements.
One Facebook post by Ms String, from 2021, suggests the teen had developed an interest in weapons.
In pictures: Local officials hold emotional press conference on Wednesday
Thursday 12 February 2026 14:31 , Alex Croft
'We need a miracle': 12-year-old girl remains in critical condition after shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 14:40 , Alex CroftA 12-year-old girl is still fighting for her life after one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history in the small British Columbia town of Tumbler Ridge.
“We were warned that the damage to her brain was too much for her to endure, and she wouldn't make the night,” her mother wrote in a post on Facebook. “Our baby needs a miracle.”
The girl was reportedly trying to lock the door when she was shot by 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who police say killed six people at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, after killing her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at a nearby home.
“It was just a normal day. Our community is shattered,” her mother wrote. “Our baby needs a miracle...
“My heart bleeds for everyone who is trying to process this horrific string of events. Far too many are grieving already.”
ICYMI: Motivation for the shooting remains unclear
Thursday 12 February 2026 15:10 , Brendan RasciusWhat motivated Jesse Van Rootselaar — the 18-year-old suspect — to carry out the mass shooting, remains unknown, officials said.
“We don't have an idea yet as to motive,” Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“It is something that we are certainly passionately pursuing but it would be too early to speculate on motive at this time,” McDonald added.
There is no indication that Van Rootselaar had been bullied, he said, noting that she dropped out of school in Tumbler Ridge four years ago.
‘Difficult conversations to have’: PM Mark Carney mourns ten killed in Tumbler Ridge shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 15:28 , Alex CroftTumbler Ridge shooting victim went to church every Sunday: report
Thursday 12 February 2026 15:54 , Alex CroftOne of the eight victims of a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge went to church every Sunday, Canadian broadcaster CBC reported.
Linda Muise, a church leader at New Life Assembly, said a 12-year-old boy who was killed on Tuesday always came to Sunday service.
"Always a smile on his face, pleasant boy,” she told CBC. “He was a friend with my grandson and my grandson would come here every summer for a holiday and they would hang together.”
A fundraiser for families of victims has raised over $246,000
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:10 , Brendan RasciusIn just 24 hours, a GoFundMe set up for the families of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting has raised over $246,000.
More than 2,000 individuals have contributed, including several local businesses.
Mother of hospitalized victim urges daughter to 'fight hard'
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:25 , Brendan RasciusThe mother of a 12-year-old girl hospitalized as a result of the mass shooting in Canada posted an update on Facebook, urging her daughter to “fight hard.”
The girl reportedly tried to lock a door when she was shot by 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who police say killed six people at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
“My climber, my builder, my hockey star,” the girl’s mother wrote in a Wednesday evening Facebook post, which included photos of the girl skating on an ice rink.
“Fight hard baby,” she added. “They say you can’t. They don’t know you like we do.”
Mark Carney to visit Tumbler Ridge 'shortly,' report says
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:27 , Brendan RasciusCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Tumbler Ridge “shortly” to offer his support to the community, following yesterday’s mass shooting, which left six dead at a local school, according to the CBC.
Hours after the shooting, Carney said in an address to parliament, “What happened has left our nation in shock and all of us in mourning.”
IN PHOTOS: Mourners gather for candlelight vigil for victims
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:40 , Brendan RasciusLast night, community members gathered for a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, which left six people dead at a local school.
The British Columbia government has proclaimed today a day of mourning across the province.
Father of victim recounts heartbreaking final moments with his son
Thursday 12 February 2026 16:58 , Brendan RasciusThe father of a 12-year-old boy who was killed in the mass shooting recounted the heartbreaking final moments spent with his son.
“Seeing you leave the house with that beautiful smile while going to Tumbler Ridge High School was so refreshing,” the father wrote on Facebook this morning. “I saw a bright future, a leader an engineer also a scientist in you.”
“Seeing your child murdered at this age is heartbreaking,” he added. “I was broken when I saw you packed in that BLACK BAG lifeless and zipped up like those we see in movies…”
The boy was identified as one of the victims of the mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in Canada by The Toronto Star.
Father recounts torturous hours waiting outside the school
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:15 , Brendan RasciusThe father of one of the students at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School recounted the tortuous hours he spent waiting outside the school, following yesterday’s mass shooting.
Dennis Campbell told the CBC that he sped to the school in his car after he received a call from his daughter about the shooting.
Law enforcement personnel barred people from getting near the building, he said. So, he spent hours waiting nearby to find out whether his daughter was safe.
"All I could hear was the alarm going off," Campbell told the CBC. "I was crying outside the school."
He said his daughter “lost four of her friends” and is now “trying to cope.”
Canada’s history of mass shootings after eight killed and dozens injured in remote town
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:25 , Brendan RasciusUnlike the United States, school shootings are almost unheard of in Canada and mass shootings in general are also far less common.
Overall, the country sees around 0.9 gun related deaths per 100,000 people in the population, compared to 22.4 per 100,000 in Mexico, 21.1 in Colombia, and 6.7 in the United States.
James Reynolds reports...
Canada’s history of mass shootings after eight killed and dozens hurt in remote town
Shooting suspect described as 'a very quiet child'
Thursday 12 February 2026 17:45 , Brendan RasciusCanadian police have described Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old suspected of carrying out yesterday’s mass shooting, as “a very quiet child” who didn’t have “much enthusiasm for anything,” according to the CBC.
School's entry protocols and safety measures are unclear
Thursday 12 February 2026 18:00 , Brendan RasciusIt’s not clear what entry protocols or safety measures were in place at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
In the past, at least one Canadian province required certain public schools to keep exterior doors locked.
Following the 2012 mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, the premier of Ontario announced he was implementing a “locked door” policy at all 4,000 elementary schools across the province.
'A beautiful soul': Father remembers poignant final moment with daughter slain in shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 18:15 , Josh MarcusOn February 10, the morning of the mass school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, father Lance Younge spent an extra moment watching as his daughter Kylie Smith walked into the school building alongside her brother.
“I let her go to school with her brother Ethan in the morning,” Younge told CTV of his daughter, who was among the students killed in the shooting. “I soaked in that moment, watching them walk in the door together, for whatever reason and I didn't know it would be the last time they'd go to school together. Hold your kids tight. Tell your kids you love them every day. You never know.”
Younge described his daughter as a “beautiful soul” who loved art and anime and hoped to one day study in Toronto.
Former RCMP officer details difficulties in investigating Tumbler Ridge shooting and stopping future tragedies
Thursday 12 February 2026 18:35 , Josh MarcusThere are considerable difficulties ahead for police investigating the Tumbler Ridge shooting, as well as for policymakers hoping to avert future tragedies, according to Sherry Benson-Podolchuk, a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer.
Part of the challenge is that even though the shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, had access to firearms and a history of potential mental health concerns, there may be no clear motive that prompted this week’s shooting.
"There might be no motive here," Benson-Podolchuk told CBC. "And for the country, and the families and friends, and the community that is grieving, they just have to understand that there might not be anything that says, 'Yup, that’s it, and now we can fix that so it never happens again.'"
The former officer added that Canadian laws could be strengthened to allow officers to do more to seize weapons found during mental health checks at homes.
'Wrong-headed' attacks on trans people spread after shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 18:55 , Josh MarcusAdvocates are cautioning the public against joining online commentators seeking to link the Tumbler Ridge shooting with the shooter’s gender identity.
According to police, shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, was a transgender female, and had begun her transition about six years ago, prompting a provincial legislator to claim a link between Rootselaar’s gender and the shooting.
Police have not described any evidence tying the two together, and it is a common, factually unfounded right-wing trope that transgender identity is exceptionally linked to school shootings.
“It is unfair, inappropriate, wrong-headed, illogical to blame an entire group of people for the actions of one or a small number,” Aaron Devor, chair in transgender studies at the University of Victoria, told CTV.
“I don’t want to downplay the idea that when it comes from people in power, it’s not just a matter of an emotional reaction. There can be real danger that comes from people in power choosing to unfairly target particular groups in society and blame them for the ills of society.”
Credible analyses of mass shootings, at least those in America, suggest that transgender people, who make up around one percent of the population, are either proportionately represented in the ranks of violent incidents, or may be disproportionately underrepresented.
'I've never seen this many children attend a vigil,' minister says
Thursday 12 February 2026 19:15 , Josh MarcusA Canadian government minister was overcome with emotion yesterday as he addressed a crowd at a vigil in Tumbler Ridge.
“I’ve been to many vigils in my life,” safety minister Gary Anandasangaree said. “One thing I’ve never seen is this many children attend a vigil.”
“That’s tragic,” he added. “Every one of those children there today are going to carry the scars and as they grow, we will need to continue to support them, and their parents, and their community. Our commitment to this community of Tumbler Ridge is to make sure that we’re here for them. We may be far but as a country we are here for them. We will always be with them. It’s not in memorial, but in solidarity.”
British Columbia to observe moment of silence for shooting victims
Thursday 12 February 2026 19:38 , Josh Marcus
The province of British Columbia is observing a day of mourning today in recognition of the Tumbler Ridge shooting.
“Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives, students and staff, first responders, and the entire Tumbler Ridge community,” it wrote in a statement on X.
A moment of silence will take place at 12:00 p.m. PST.
Senator shares 'horror and sorrow' over Tumbler Ridge shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 19:57 , Josh MarcusLeaders across Canada are paying tribute to those lost and wounded in the Tumbler Ridge shooting, as British Columbia engages in a day of mourning.
In Parliament, British Columbia Senator Yuen Pau Woo offered a floor speech about his “horror and sorrow” over the tragedy.
“We offer our comfort, our solidarity, as if we knew each and every one of you,” he said. “We pledge to support you in the days and the years ahead so that tumbler ridge will be remembered not just a place where a terrible shooting took place, but as a place that came together in a time of tragedy to support each other and to make each other stronger through kindness, through bravery and through the strength to persevere.”
'She's moved!': Mother shares update on critically wounded daughter
Thursday 12 February 2026 20:47 , Josh MarcusMaya Gabela, a 12-year-old seriously wounded in the Tumbler Ridge shooting, has begun to move, according to her mother.
“She’s moved!“ she wrote on Facebook. “It’s stimulus, a kick, a hand move, but it’s something! It’s truly something new in almost 48 hours. Keep up the positive vibes.”
“We need to know this isn’t it,” her mother added. “She will continue to improve despite those opinions. We will also be having a fresh look with a second opinion. We are so incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support literally around the world!”
ICYMI: What we know about the Tumbler Ridge shooter
Thursday 12 February 2026 21:30 , Josh MarcusJesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old who killed eight people in Tuesday’s mass shooting in British Columbia, Canada, had a long-documented interest in firearms and school shootings, according to social media posts.
Police received reports that a shooter, now known to be Van Rootselaar, opened fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School around 1.28 pm Tuesday. Shortly before heading to the campus, she killed her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at their home, police have said.
The shooting at the school left three female students, all 12-years-old; two male students, aged 12 and 13; and one 39-year-old educator dead.
Police later found Van Rootselaar’s body at the school, with the teen having died from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Ariana Baio and Owen Scott have the story.
Jesse Van Rootselaar: What we know about the Tumbler Ridge shooter
Police name eight people killed in Tumbler Ridge attack
Thursday 12 February 2026 22:34 , Josh MarcusThe Royal Canadian Mounted Police has identified those killed in Tuesday’s shooting.
Six people were killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School:
- Abel Mwansa: 12-years-old
- Ezekiel Schofield: 13-years-old
- Kylie Smith: 12-years-old
- Zoey Benoit: 12-years-old
- Ticaria Lampert: 12-years-old
- Shannda Aviugana-Durand: 39-years-old
Two others were killed at a nearby home:
'We feel absolutely broken': grandfather mourns victim of shooting
Thursday 12 February 2026 23:00 , Josh MarcusA family member has reportedly identified another of the victims in the Tumbler Ridge shooting as Ezekiel Schofield, 13.
“We feel absolutely broken,” his grandfather Peter Schofield wrote on Facebook, the Toronto Star reports.
“Everything feels so surreal. The tears just keep flowing. So many young lives were ended so needlessly. Our hearts are broken not only for Eziekiel, but for every family affected by this tragedy.”
Wounded student airlifted to Vancouver with injuries is now 'out of danger'
Thursday 12 February 2026 23:45 , Josh MarcusPaige Hoekstra, who was airlifted to Vancouver after being shot during the Tumbler Ridge attack, is now on the road to recovery, according to her family.
“Paige had suffered one gunshot wound to the chest and has since undergone surgery to repair/assess damage, but she is officially out of danger and in recovery,” her sister wrote on a GoFundMe page. “Her whole family is here to support her through her recovery to get back to the Paige we all know and love.”
Where to donate to help those impacted by Tumbler Ridge shooting
00:30 , Josh MarcusMore than half a million dollars has been raised to benefit community members impacted by the Tumbler Ridge shooting.
There are a variety of institutions collecting funds.
Crowdfunding site GoFundMe has a page of verified fundraisers.
The Canadian Red Cross, as well as the local Lake View Credit Union, are also pooling resources.
Signing off
01:14 , Josh MarcusOur live coverage of the Tumbler Ridge shooting has ended.
Here's a recap of the most important details:
‘A beautiful innocent soul’: Teacher and six children among Canada shooting victims
Tumbler Ridge is one of Canada's deadliest mass shootings: data
01:15 , Josh MarcusAt least eight people were killed and dozens more injured in one of Canada’s worst mass shootings this week.
Five students aged 12 and 13 and a teacher were shot dead at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia on Tuesday, with the teenage suspect’s mother and 11 year-old stepbrother found dead at a home.
The suspect, identified by police as 18 year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, took their own life after the shooting in a remote community of around 2,400 people some 700 miles north east of Vancouver.
“It's hard to know what to say on a night like tonight,” British Columbia Premier David Eby told reporters in the aftermath of the massacre. “It's the kind of thing that feels like it happens in other places and not close to home.”
Unlike the United States, school shootings are almost unheard of in Canada and mass shootings in general are also far less common.
James C. Reynolds has the full story.
Canada’s history of mass shootings after eight killed and dozens hurt in remote town
