Canada is reeling after one of the deadliest acts of gun violence in its recent history. The quiet, close knit community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, has been thrust into national mourning following a devastating attack that left eight people dead and at least 25 others injured.
As investigators piece together what happened, families grieve, students recover from trauma, and leaders across the country call for unity. Here is a comprehensive look at what we know so far about the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting and its aftermath.
What Happened in the Tumbler Ridge Mass Shooting?
The violence unfolded on Tuesday afternoon in the remote town of roughly 2,400 residents, located about 670 kilometres northeast of Vancouver.
At approximately 13:30 local time, police received reports of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Officers arrived within two minutes. They heard gunfire and immediately entered the building.
However, authorities later confirmed that the attack began earlier at a nearby home.
Timeline of Events
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the suspect first carried out a shooting at a private residence. Two victims were found dead there. The suspect then travelled to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where further violence occurred.
By the time officers located the suspect inside the school, the individual was deceased from what police described as a self inflicted gunshot wound.
Police recovered two firearms at the scene, including a long gun and a modified handgun. Investigators are still working to determine how each weapon was used.
Authorities have stated that they do not believe any other suspects were involved.
Who Were the Victims?
The scale of loss has deeply shaken this small community.
Six people were killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. The victims included:
- A 39 year old female educator
- Three 12 year old female students
- One 12 year old male student
- One 13 year old male student
At least 25 other people were injured. While not all sustained gunshot wounds, several required urgent medical treatment. Two victims were airlifted to hospital and remain under care.
At the nearby home, two additional victims were found dead. They were identified as the suspect’s 39 year old mother and 11 year old step brother.
Because Tumbler Ridge is a tight knit community, many residents personally knew the victims and their families. As a result, the grief is both public and profoundly personal.
Who Was the Suspect?
Police identified the suspect as 18 year old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a former student of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School who had dropped out four years earlier.
Authorities confirmed that Van Rootselaar was found dead inside the school from a self inflicted gunshot injury.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police stated that the suspect was born a biological male and had begun transitioning to female approximately six years ago.
Investigators also revealed that police had attended the suspect’s family home on multiple occasions over the past several years. Some of those calls were related to mental health concerns.
Additionally, the suspect previously held a valid firearms licence, which had since lapsed.
The motive for the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting remains unknown. Police are continuing to investigate possible contributing factors, including prior interactions with public health services.
Students Describe Fear and Chaos
Survivors have shared chilling accounts of the lockdown inside the school.
When the alarm sounded, students initially believed it was a routine precaution. However, as gunshots rang out, the reality became clear.
One Grade 12 student described how classmates used tables to barricade the classroom door. They remained huddled in a corner for more than two hours.
Many students were crying and panicking. Some received disturbing images on their phones showing blood inside the school. Others struggled with the uncertainty, unsure where the shooter was located.
Parents outside the building experienced their own agony. One town councillor said he felt overwhelming dread while waiting for confirmation that his wife, a teacher at the school, was safe.
Eventually, police escorted students out in what one witness called organized chaos. Only later did many learn the full extent of the casualties.
A Community in Shock
Tumbler Ridge is known for its coal mining industry and dinosaur fossil discoveries. It is also known for something else: safety.
Residents often say they do not lock their doors. Many describe the town as one big family.
That sense of security was shattered.
Mayor Darryl Krakowka expressed the collective heartbreak when he said he expected to know every victim. He urged residents to support one another, lend an ear, and offer a shoulder to lean on.
Candlelight vigils have since taken place. Flowers line the area near the school. Meanwhile, grief counselling and crisis support services have been made available to students, families, and first responders.
National Reaction to the Tumbler Ridge Mass Shooting
The tragedy has drawn reactions from leaders across Canada.
British Columbia Premier David Eby described the attack as devastating and unimaginable. He acknowledged the trauma facing families and the wider community.
Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the nation with visible emotion. He said students and teachers bore witness to cruelty that no one should ever experience. He also suspended a planned international trip in response to the tragedy.
Across the political spectrum, leaders called for unity and compassion during what many described as one of the darkest days in recent memory.
Gun Laws in Canada Under Renewed Scrutiny
In the wake of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, questions about gun control have resurfaced.
Canada’s Firearms Act requires guns to be stored locked and unloaded. Prospective gun owners must pass background checks. Since 2022, there has also been a national freeze on private ownership of short barrelled handguns.
However, gun ownership remains more common in rural areas. British Columbia has previously reported relatively higher handgun ownership compared to other provinces.
While it is too early to determine whether legislative changes will follow, the tragedy is likely to intensify debate over enforcement, licensing, and mental health interventions.
What Happens Next?
Investigators continue to examine the suspect’s background, access to firearms, and potential warning signs.
At the same time, the focus in Tumbler Ridge has shifted toward healing.
Schools will need to support traumatized students. Families will plan funerals. The community will search for answers.
Most importantly, residents will rely on one another.
In small towns, recovery is collective. Grief is shared. And strength often comes from standing together.
Conclusion
The Tumbler Ridge mass shooting has left an indelible mark on a community that once felt untouched by such violence. Eight lives were lost. Dozens were injured. Countless others now carry emotional scars.
Although investigators continue to seek answers, one truth is clear. The tragedy has united Canada in mourning.
As Tumbler Ridge begins the long process of healing, the nation watches, supports, and remembers.
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