A devastating mass shooting in the remote mountain community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, has left eight people dead, including six children, prompting provincial mourning and critical questions about mental health interventions and firearm regulations. The 18-year-old suspect, Jesse Van Rootselaar, was found deceased at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following Tuesday’s attack.
Authorities from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed a documented history of police visits to Van Rootselaar’s family residence over several years related to mental health crises. The individual had been apprehended and assessed under Canada’s Mental Health Act on multiple occasions. Despite this history, Van Rootselaar previously held a firearms licence, and weapons that had been seized from the home approximately two years ago were later returned after a successful petition by a family member.
The tragedy unfolded at two locations. It began at a nearby residence where the suspect’s 39-year-old mother, Jennifer Strang, and 11-year-old stepbrother were fatally shot. The attack then continued at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where a 39-year-old teacher and five students aged 12 to 13 were killed. At least 25 others sustained injuries, with two young victims remaining in critical but stable condition. The small secondary school, with only 160 students, serves a town of roughly 2,400 residents.
Investigators recovered two firearms at the scene: a long gun and a modified handgun. The precise ownership of these weapons and the motive for the attack remain under active investigation. BBC Verify uncovered social media posts indicating the suspect’s interest in firearms, including a 2021 photo shared by a relative showing Van Rootselaar holding a hunting rifle.
In response to the tragedy, British Columbia Premier David Eby announced his government is consulting with public healthcare officials to review all prior interactions with the suspect. Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit the grieving community. The province has proclaimed an official day of mourning, with hundreds of residents gathering for vigils in Tumbler Ridge and at the legislature in Victoria.