Authorities in British Columbia have identified an 18-year-old transgender woman as the suspect in one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent Canadian history, after nine people including the attacker were killed in the small community of Tumbler Ridge.
Police said the suspect, Jesse Van Rootselaar, fatally shot her mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at their family home before carrying out an attack at a local high school she had attended several years earlier. Investigators confirmed that the suspect later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The motive remains under investigation.
The violence has shaken Tumbler Ridge, a remote northeastern British Columbia town of approximately 2,400 residents, where community leaders say many families are personally connected to those affected.
Sequence of Events
According to Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officials, the incident began at a residence in Tumbler Ridge, where the suspect allegedly killed her 39-year-old mother and stepbrother. The killings at the home were discovered after another family member raised the alarm with neighbours.
Police said the suspect then travelled to the nearby high school, which she had left four years earlier. Officers responded to an active shooter call shortly after it was received, arriving at the campus within minutes.
Inside the school, officers discovered six victims: a 39-year-old teacher and five students three 12-year-old girls and two boys aged 12 and 13. Some victims were located in the school library, while another was found in a stairwell, police said.
When officers arrived on scene, shots were reportedly fired in their direction. The suspect was later found dead from what investigators described as a self-inflicted injury. Police recovered a long gun and a modified handgun from the scene.
In total, nine people including the suspect lost their lives. Authorities confirmed that at least 24 others were injured and transported to hospitals with varying degrees of injuries.
Background of the Suspect
Police Commander Dwayne McDonald said the suspect had a documented history of mental health concerns. Officers had visited the family residence multiple times in recent years in response to mental health-related incidents.
On several occasions, the suspect was reportedly apprehended under British Columbia’s Mental Health Act for assessment. Authorities also confirmed that the suspect had previously held a firearms licence, which had lapsed. Firearms had at one point been confiscated from the residence but were later returned. Police have not yet detailed the circumstances under which the weapons were returned.
Investigators emphasised that there is currently no indication that specific individuals at the school were targeted. “There is no information at this point suggesting that anyone was specifically targeted,” McDonald said during a press briefing.
Officials have declined to speculate on motive, describing the investigation as active and complex. Forensic teams continue to analyse evidence from both the residence and the school, while digital records and witness statements are being reviewed.
Community in Mourning
The tragedy marks Canada’s deadliest mass shooting since 2020, when a gunman in Nova Scotia killed 22 people in a rampage that unfolded over several hours.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed condolences to the victims’ families and the broader community, describing the attack as an “unimaginable tragedy.”
“Parents, grandparents, sisters, and brothers in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love,” Carney said as he arrived in Parliament. “The nation mourns with you, and Canada stands by you.”
Flags at federal government buildings will be flown at half-staff for seven days. The Prime Minister also cancelled planned international travel in response to the crisis.
British Columbia Premier David Eby echoed those sentiments, urging residents to support one another. “I know it’s causing us all to hug our kids a little bit tighter tonight,” he said.
Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka described the community as a “big family,” saying he likely knew many of the victims personally. “It’s devastating,” he said. “I broke down.”
Both the local high school and elementary school will remain closed for the remainder of the week as grief counselling and crisis support services are mobilised for students, staff, and families.
Broader Implications
While school shootings are significantly less common in Canada than in some other countries, the incident has renewed debate about mental health systems, firearm regulation, and community safety.
Canada has relatively strict gun-control laws, including bans on certain categories of firearms classified as assault-style weapons. Following previous mass shootings, the federal government expanded firearm restrictions and introduced buyback programs. Officials have not yet indicated whether new legislative measures are under consideration following the Tumbler Ridge attack.
Authorities have urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information online, noting that misinformation can complicate investigations and intensify distress within affected communities.
Ongoing Investigation
Law enforcement agencies are continuing to establish a precise timeline of events and examine how the suspect accessed the weapons used in the attack. Police have called on anyone with relevant information, photos, or video footage to come forward.
As Tumbler Ridge begins the long process of grieving, community leaders have planned vigils and remembrance gatherings. Mental health professionals have stressed the importance of sustained support for those affected, especially young students exposed to trauma.
For now, investigators remain focused on determining what led to the violence and whether any systemic gaps contributed to the tragedy.
