On February 10, 2026, the quiet town of Tumbler Ridge in British Columbia was devastated by a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. What began as a normal school day ended in tragedy, leaving families shattered and a nation grieving.

Police identified the shooter as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a former student. Authorities say she first killed her mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at a nearby residence before going to the school, where she opened fire. She was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators believe she acted alone. A motive has not yet been confirmed, though officials noted previous contacts related to mental health concerns.

Among those killed at the school were:

12-year-old Kylie Smith
12-year-old Abel Mwansa Jr.
12-year-old Zoey Benoit
12-year-old Ticaria Lampert
13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield
and a 39-year-old teacher, Shannda Aviugana-Durand. More than two dozen others were injured, some critically. In total, eight victims lost their lives in addition to the shooter.

Tumbler Ridge, a close-knit community of fewer than 3,000 residents, has since held vigils and memorial gatherings to honor the victims. Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, expressed condolences and pledged federal support for the affected families.

For many Canadians, this tragedy has reignited conversations about school safety, mental health intervention, and the protection of children in learning spaces. For Tumbler Ridge, however, the focus remains on mourning the young lives lost and supporting those who survived an unimaginable day.