Canada in Mourning After Deadly School Shooting in Tumbler Ridge
Canada is grappling with profound grief and shock following one of the deadliest mass shootings in the nation's history. On Wednesday, the country observed a somber day of mourning after eight people, including six children, were killed and dozens more injured in a horrific attack at a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The tragedy has left the remote mining town and the entire nation reeling.
Prime Minister's Emotional Response
Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the nation with visible emotion, describing it as a "difficult day" for all Canadians. "Parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love. The nation mourns with you," Carney stated solemnly. He announced that flags at government buildings across Canada would be flown at half-mast for the next seven days as a mark of respect. "We will get through this," he affirmed. "But right now it is a time to come together, like Canadians always do in these terrible situations. To support each other, to mourn together and to grow together."
Timeline of the Attack
The attack unfolded on Tuesday afternoon at approximately 1:20 PM local time. Police received reports of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which serves 160 students in grades 7 through 12, typically aged 12 to 18. Officers arrived minutes later to find active gunfire, with rounds being fired in their direction as they approached the building, according to Dwayne McDonald of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Inside the school, six victims were discovered deceased: a 39-year-old teacher and five students. The students included three 12-year-old girls and two boys aged 12 and 13. Approximately 25 individuals were injured in the assault. The presumed shooter was found dead at the scene with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. All remaining students and staff were safely evacuated, with images showing them being led out of the school, some with their hands raised.
Prior Violence at Suspect's Residence
Prior to the school shooting, police revealed that a 39-year-old woman and an 11-year-old child were killed at a residence linked to the suspect. Authorities believe these victims were the mother and step-brother of the suspect. Another sibling present at the home managed to alert a neighbor about the shooting. Police confirmed they believe the suspect acted alone and are not seeking any additional suspects in connection with the attack.
Suspect Identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar
More than 24 hours after the shooting, officials identified the suspect as 18-year-old local resident Jesse Van Rootselaar. Police recovered two firearms at the scene: a long gun and a modified handgun. McDonald disclosed that police had visited the suspect's residence on multiple occasions in recent years due to "concerns of mental health" regarding Van Rootselaar, who had been apprehended for assessment and follow-up on different occasions.
Van Rootselaar had dropped out of school approximately four years ago. Police noted that the suspect, born biologically male, had begun transitioning to female about six years ago and identified as female both socially and publicly. However, authorities emphasized it is too early to determine whether this had any correlation to the investigation. The suspect's motive remains unclear, and police are still investigating potential connections between the victims and Van Rootselaar. Notably, the suspect's firearms license had expired in 2024, and no firearms were registered to her.
Rarity of Such Attacks in Canada
Mass shootings in Canada are relatively rare, especially when compared to the neighboring United States. Analysts often attribute this difference to Canada's stricter gun laws, which make it challenging to own handguns or assault-style weapons. Tuesday's attack marks the second-deadliest school shooting in Canadian history, surpassed only by a 1989 tragedy in Montreal where a 25-year-old man killed 13 female students and a secretary before taking his own life.
The deadliest shooting in Canada occurred in 2020 in Nova Scotia, where a man disguised as a police officer killed 22 people during a shooting and arson rampage. In response to that attack, the government banned 1,500 models of assault weapons. The Tumbler Ridge shooting has reignited discussions about gun control and mental health support across the nation.
As the community of Tumbler Ridge, with its population of about 2,400 residents nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, begins the long process of healing, the entire country stands in solidarity. The close-knit town, located approximately 730 miles north of Vancouver near the Alberta border, where many work in mining, quarrying, and hydrocarbon industries, now faces the unimaginable task of recovering from this devastating loss.
