2026 Tumbler Ridge shootings

On February 10, 2026, a mass shooting occurred when he opened fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. Of the people fatally shot, 6 were in the school, another died on the way to the hospital, and two others were killed at a house. 5 of the victims that died were children aged 12-13. 27 others were injured.

The attack was the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history since the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks. It was also the deadliest school shooting in Canada since the École Polytechnique massacre in 1989. 

Background
In 2026, the school had about 175 students.

Shooting
At 1:20 p.m., Royal Canadian Mounted Police started to receive calls that an active shooting was taking place at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. An emergency alert was sent out and students barricaded themselves inside the school. RCMP rushed to the school within two minutes and found the shooter had committed suicide at the school from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Suspect
The suspect was first identified as "a female in a dress with brown hair". RCMP later confirmed 18-year-old Jesse van Rootselaar of Tumbler Ridge as the perpetrator. They stated that van Rootselaar was "born as a biological male" and had "identified as female, both socially and publicly" for around six years by then. The perpetrator was a trans woman. Van Rootselaar had a history of poor mental health. The shooter dropped out of school in 2022.

Reactions
Several World leaders expressed condolences to those affected by the shootings.

The incident has re-sparked discussion about trans shooters.

References

Category:2020s in British Columbia
Category:February 2026 events
Category:Crime in Canada
Category:Mass shootings in Canada
Category:Murder in Canada
Category:Murder in the 2020s
Category:School shootings in Canada
Category:Suicide in the 2020s
Category:2026 in North America