On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Canada had its deadliest school shooting in decades at a high school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Nine deaths have been confirmed, and dozens have been confirmed as wounded. One of the deaths is the suspected attacker, eighteen-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar.
Rootselaar had been a student at the high school until she dropped out four years ago. She was a local resident of the town, and known to the authorities because of multiple visits due to mental health concerns. On one of the visits, all firearms were taken out of the home. She had previously owned a license to carry, but it was not up to date at the time of the shooting. Both a long gun and a handgun were found at the scene.
Prior to the attack on the school, Rootselaar shot and killed her mother, aged 39, and step-brother, aged 11. They were both found dead at a nearby home. The victims at the school included a teacher, aged 39, three female students, all aged 12, and two male students, one aged 12 and one aged 13. The suspect was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound minutes after they entered the school. At this time, there are no other suspects involved in the shooting.
Today, Thursday, February 12, has been declared a day of mourning for the Canadian province of British Columbia. The planned throne speech, that is held at the beginning of a new legislative session, has been cancelled for the day. A legislative assembly will stand for a moment of silence at noon today to honor the victims of the shooting and their families, and the community of Tumbler Ridge. Members of parliament held a moment of silence for the victims in Ottawa on Wednesday. Flags across federal buildings will be held at half-mast for seven days.
This attack is the fourth deadliest shooting in all of Canadian history. Authorities are investigating the cause of the attack, and ensuring that schools and individuals across both the province and nation are safe.
