A profound shock reverberated through Canada on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, as a mass shooting unfolded in the remote town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, leaving nine people dead and dozens more wounded in what became one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history. The attack occurred in a close‑knit community of roughly 2,400 residents nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, an area known more for its scenic beauty and small‑town life than for violence. The tragedy began in the early afternoon and quickly escalated, touching families, students, educators, and first responders in a way that has shaken the entire province and elicited national grief. By day’s end the names of victims had not yet been widely released, but authorities confirmed that multiple children and adults were among the dead, and that more than two dozen people — students, staff, and others — had been injured and required medical treatment. The events rapidly plunged a peaceful town into mourning, sparking vigils, official tributes, and national calls for unity in the wake of incomprehensible loss.

The sequence of events that led to the massacre unfolded over the course of the afternoon and involved more than one location, complicating the scope of the investigation and deepening the tragedy’s impact. Around 1:20 p.m. local time, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Tumbler Ridge received reports of an active shooter at the local secondary school, which serves roughly 160–175 students from grades 7 through 12. Within minutes the town’s small police force, supported by emergency services, responded and secured a perimeter around the school. Officers entered the building as shots were still being fired, and later found multiple victims inside. RCMP Supt. Ken Floyd reported that six people were located dead inside the school, including a teacher and several students; a seventh victim died while being transported to a hospital. Two additional victims were found deceased at a residence believed to be connected to the shooter, bringing the confirmed death toll to nine, not including the suspect. Two others were airlifted to larger medical facilities with serious or life‑threatening injuries, and many more received treatment for non‑life‑threatening wounds at local centres. Investigators identified the suspected shooter at the scene, concluding that the individual had died from an apparent self‑inflicted injury, and said there was no ongoing threat to the public.

Authorities rapidly moved to identify the suspected gunman and piece together their movements, though questions about motive remain unanswered. In a formal briefing, the RCMP named the suspected shooter as 18‑year‑old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a resident of Tumbler Ridge and a former student of the same secondary school where the attack occurred. Officials confirmed that Van Rootselaar first shot and killed their 39‑year‑old mother and 11‑year‑old stepbrother at the home before proceeding to the school with a long gun and a modified handgun recovered at the scene. At the school, Van Rootselaar fatally shot a teacher and multiple students — including children as young as 12 — before taking their own life as police closed in. While early emergency alerts described the shooter as a “female in a dress,” authorities noted that discussions about identity were based on ongoing investigative information, and emphasized that motive, planning, and any potential connections between victims and the shooter were still being studied. Officials stressed that there is no indication of a wider network or additional suspects, and that understanding “why” this attack occurred remains a top priority of the investigation.

The immediate impact on Tumbler Ridge was swift and visceral, with students, educators, and families forced into lockdowns, evacuations, and frantic reunification efforts. Students inside the secondary school reported hearing alarms and being instructed to shelter in place, while teachers and classmates worked together to barricade doors with tables and reassure one another during the unfolding attack. As word spread throughout the town, parents and relatives rushed to the scene, desperate for information about loved ones. Police issued an Alert Ready emergency notification — a shelter‑in‑place order broadcast to residents’ phones — urging people to lock their doors and remain inside while officers worked to secure the area. That alert remained active until the evening, when authorities determined that the immediate threat had been contained and that no further danger was present. School officials confirmed that all remaining students and staff were safely evacuated, and that counseling and support services would be made available in the coming days. Community members described the events as “surreal” and “unimaginable,” with many emphasizing that it was something they had never expected to happen in their small, supportive town.

Canada’s national leadership responded with solemnity and support, acknowledging both the rarity of such violence in the country and the deep pain felt by families, first responders, and the entire region. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed profound sorrow over the shootings, stating that he was “devastated” by the loss of life and the effect on the victims’ families and the community at large. Carney announced plans to visit Tumbler Ridge personally, extend condolences on behalf of the government, and offer federal support for recovery efforts and victim services. British Columbia Premier David Eby described the tragedy as “unimaginable” for a community that prides itself on safety and close personal connections, noting that first responders had acted swiftly to protect the public. Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia and other provincial officials also issued statements honoring the victims and calling for collective mourning and healing. Flags were ordered to be flown at half‑mast across government buildings, and a provincial day of mourning was declared to pay respect to the lives lost and the families affected. Officials reiterated calls for patience as investigators work through evidence and seek to understand the circumstances that led to this unprecedented attack.

In the days that follow, Tumbler Ridge and the nation are confronting the long and difficult process of mourning, healing, and seeking answers while attempting to safeguard against future violence. Schools in the region remained closed temporarily to allow for grief, counseling, and family support, particularly as many students were directly touched by the tragedy. Community vigils, memorials, and collective moments of silence have drawn residents together, reflecting a shared sense of loss and a desire for unity in the face of sorrow. The town’s mayor, Darryl Krakowka, described Tumbler Ridge as “one big family,” emphasizing how many in the community knew each other personally — a reality that makes the loss all the more acute. Investigators, meanwhile, continue to review physical evidence, interview witnesses, and construct a timeline of the events leading up to and during the attack, with motives still undetermined and many questions yet to be answered. The shootings have reignited national conversations in Canada about firearm access, mental health resources, community safety, and the support systems available to vulnerable individuals, even in a country where mass shootings remain rare relative to other parts of the world. As the community and nation grapple with the aftermath, the focus remains on honoring the memory of those lost, providing care for survivors and families, and reinforcing social bonds that can help carry Tumbler Ridge through one of its darkest chapters.