On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the quiet community of Tumbler Ridge in northeastern British Columbia was shattered by one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history. The violence began at a private residence on Fellers Avenue, where 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, also known as Jesse Strang, fatally shot his mother, Jennifer Strang, 39, and his 11-year-old stepbrother. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that the suspect then proceeded to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where the rampage escalated.
At approximately 2:20 p.m. local time, Rootselaar entered the school armed with a rifle and a modified handgun. He opened fire in the library and other parts of the building, killing six more people, including five students aged between 12 and 13 and one teacher. An additional victim died en route to the hospital, bringing the total death toll to nine, including the shooter. At least 27 others were injured in the attack, many of them critically, making it the second-deadliest school shooting in Canadian history.
The RCMP initially issued an emergency alert describing the suspect as a “female in a dress with brown hair,” which was later corrected. Rootselaar, who had previously attended the school, was found dead inside the building from what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation, and police are analyzing digital evidence, including social media activity and writings recovered from the suspect’s home.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and terror as students and staff scrambled to find safety. One teacher, Jarbas Noronha, recounted locking himself and his students in a classroom for over two hours before being escorted out by police. Emergency responders from across the region were dispatched to the scene, and the school was placed on lockdown until it was cleared by tactical units.
The tragedy has left the town of Tumbler Ridge, with a population of just over 2,000, in mourning. Vigils have been held across British Columbia, and grief counselors have been deployed to support survivors and families of the victims. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement expressing condolences and pledging federal support for the investigation and recovery efforts.
As the community begins to process the trauma, questions are being raised about how the suspect obtained the firearms and whether warning signs were missed. Lawmakers and advocacy groups are calling for renewed discussions on gun control, mental health resources, and school safety protocols. The RCMP continues to urge anyone with additional information to come forward as they piece together the events that led to this devastating act of violence.
