Police have identified the suspect in a school shooting in Canada as an 18-year-old who had prior mental health issues.
Jesse Van Rootselaar shot eight people dead in a gun rampage, police said. The suspect then committed suicide, police said.
Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, commander of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia said Van Rootselaar, was born male but began to identify as a female six years ago.
The suspect’s mother, 39, and 11-year-old step-brother were first killed at the family home.
Van Rootselaar then went to the school, killing a 39-year-old woman teacher as well as three 12-year-old female students and two male students, one aged 12 and one aged 13, police said.
"We do believe the suspect acted alone ... it would be too early to speculate on motive," he told a press conference.
"Police had attended that (family) residence on multiple occasions over the past several years, dealing with concerns of mental health with respect to our suspect,” he added.
At least two other people were hospitalised with serious or life-threatening injuries, and as many as 25 people were being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
A video showed students walking out of the school with their hands raised as police vehicles surrounded the building and a helicopter circled overhead.
“It’s hard to know what to say on a night like tonight. It’s the kind of thing that feels like it happens in other places and not close to home,” British Columbia Premier David Eby told reporters.
What do we know about the shooter?
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said Van Rootselaar, who was found dead, had a history of mental health contact with police.
Police initially released almost no details about the assailant except to say the person was described as a female.
A police active shooter alert said the suspect was described “as female in a dress with brown hair.”
Police Superintendent Ken Floyd later confirmed at a news conference that the suspect described in the alert was the same person found dead in the school.
Where is Tumbler Ridge?
Tumbler Ridge is a remote municipality with a population of around 2,400 people in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in northern British Columbia, approximately 720 miles northeast of Vancouver. Images of the town show a snow-covered landscape filled with pine trees.
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School has 160 students in grades seven through 12, roughly ages 12 to 18, according to its website. The school was closed for the rest of the week and counseling will be made available to those in need, school officials said.
Officials said the town’s small police force was on the scene within two minutes of receiving a call, and that victims were still being assessed hours after the incident.
“This is a small, tight-knit community with a small RCMP detachment as well, who responded in two minutes, no doubt saving lives today,” Nina Krieger, British Columbia’s public safety minister, told reporters.
Canada’s worst shooting in years
The shooting ranks among the deadliest in Canadian history.
In April 2020, a 51-year-old man disguised in a police uniform and driving a fake police car shot and killed 22 people in a 13-hour rampage in the Atlantic province of Nova Scotia, before police killed him at a gas station about 90 km (60 miles) from the site of his first killings.
In Canada’s worst school shooting, in December 1989, a gunman killed 14 female students and wounded 13 at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, Quebec, before committing suicide.
In response to the shooting, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney postponed a planned announcement in Halifax on Wednesday for a new Defence Industrial Strategy and subsequent trip to Germany for the Munich Security Conference, a spokesperson said.
“I am devastated by today’s horrific shootings in Tumbler Ridge, BC. My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence,” Mr Carney said on X.
He added: “I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today, and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens.
I am devastated by today’s horrific shootings in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence.
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) February 11, 2026
I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed…
“Our ability to come together in crisis is the best of our country — our empathy, our unity, and our compassion for each other.
“I have connected with Premier Eby to express my condolences, and with the Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, who is coordinating the federal response.
“Our officials are in close contact with their counterparts to ensure the community is fully supported as best we can. The Government of Canada stands with all British Columbians as they confront this horrible tragedy.”
"We will get through this. We will learn from this," Carney later told reporters, at one point looking close to tears.
"But right now, it's a time to come together, as Canadians always do in these situations, these terrible situations, to support each other, to mourn together and to grow together."
Royal Family express shock
The King, Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales have expressed their shock and sadness at the brutal attack.
Charles, who is King of Canada, along with Camilla, William and Kate, shared their deepest condolences with those affected, with the senior royals saying they "stand in solidarity" with all Canadians in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The King said in a written message that he and Camilla could "only begin to imagine the appalling shadow that has now descended across Tumbler Ridge".
He described the tragedy as a "senseless act of brutal violence".
"My wife and I were profoundly shocked and saddened to learn of the most dreadful attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia," the monarch said.
"We can only express our deepest possible sympathy to the families who are grieving the unimaginable loss of their loved ones and those still awaiting news from hospital.
"In such a closely connected town, every child's name will be known and every family will be a neighbour.
"We can only begin to imagine the appalling shadow that has now descended across Tumbler Ridge and our hearts go out to all those whose lives have been so shattered by this senseless act of brutal violence.
"I very much wish to thank the town's police and staff at the health centre for their courage as first responders, and all those across British Columbia who have helped in every way they have.
"In sending our most heartfelt condolences, my wife and I stand in solidarity with the people of Tumbler Ridge and all Canadians as they seek understanding, healing and strength."
The message was signed Charles R.
The prince and princess echoed the King's words shortly afterwards, saying in a personal message posted on social media: "We stand with all Canadians following this morning's appalling tragedy.
"Our hearts are with the entire Tumbler Ridge community, and we extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends affected by this devastating loss.
"We are so thankful for the courage shown by the students, staff, and emergency responders who acted with selflessness in the face of such violence."
Their message was signed "W&C".
