A quiet Tuesday afternoon in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, shattered into unimaginable horror as gunfire erupted at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. The unfolding tragedy claimed the lives of nine people, leaving a community reeling and grappling with profound loss.
Police responded to reports of an active shooter at 1:20 p.m. local time, discovering a scene of devastation within the school walls. Six victims – a 39-year-old teacher, three 12-year-old girls, and two boys aged 12 and 13 – lay dead from gunshot wounds. Nearby, authorities found the alleged shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, deceased from an apparent self-inflicted injury.
The horror extended beyond the school grounds. A secondary location revealed two more victims: Van Rootselaar’s 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old step-brother, found dead inside their home. The investigation painted a chilling picture of a tragedy that began within a family before spilling into the wider community.
Van Rootselaar, who had previously attended the school, identified as a transgender woman and had begun transitioning six years ago. Authorities revealed a history of mental health concerns, with police having responded to multiple calls at the family residence in recent years. Weapons were temporarily seized during these visits, but later returned to the legal owner.
Two firearms – a long gun and a modified handgun – were recovered at the school, neither registered to Van Rootselaar, despite a previous firearms license that had expired in 2024. This detail added another layer of complexity to the unfolding investigation.
The initial reports of ten fatalities were revised as one of the critically injured, a woman initially believed to be among the deceased, was confirmed to be alive. Approximately twenty-five others sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were assessed at a local medical center.
Superintendent Ken Floyd, North District Commander, praised the swift cooperation between the school, first responders, and the community, emphasizing its critical role in containing the situation. He acknowledged the immense difficulty and emotional toll the tragedy had taken on everyone involved.
Students and staff were safely evacuated from the school, and authorities confirmed there were no additional suspects or ongoing threats to public safety. The shooter was identified as the individual described in an earlier police alert – a “female in a dress with brown hair.”
The Prime Minister expressed devastation and extended condolences to the families and friends of the victims, acknowledging the courage of the first responders. The nation mourned alongside the community of Tumbler Ridge, united in grief and shock.
Additional police resources were deployed from neighboring detachments, alongside the North District Emergency Response Team, to secure the area and support the ongoing investigation. The Peace River South School District acknowledged the lockdown at both Tumbler Ridge Secondary and Elementary schools, urging patience as they worked with the RCMP.
