Officials stated Wednesday that a mass shooting on Tuesday at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia resulted in at least nine fatalities. Law enforcement identified the suspect, who was also discovered deceased, as an 18-year-old transgender woman accused of killing two family members at her residence before targeting the school.
The Tumbler Ridge Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed to Digital that authorities were dispatched to active shooter reports at the school at 1:20 p.m. local time Tuesday. During their search of the premises, officers discovered six victims who had died from gunshot wounds, along with the alleged perpetrator, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who appeared to have sustained a self-inflicted fatal injury.
Officials reported that Van Rootselaar had previously attended the school before withdrawing approximately four years earlier. Van Rootselaar, who was designated male at birth but identified as female, started her transition six years ago.
Van Rootselaar allegedly had previous mental health-related interactions with law enforcement and potentially could access firearms kept in the home. Police stated that officers had responded to the residence on several occasions in recent years for mental health incidents, during which weapons were temporarily confiscated under the Criminal Code but subsequently returned after the legal owner filed a petition.
RCMP reported that two firearms—a long gun and a modified handgun—were retrieved from inside the school. Neither weapon was registered to Van Rootselaar, who had previously held a firearms license that expired in 2024.
The six victims discovered at the school were identified as a 39-year-old female teacher, three 12-year-old female pupils, and two male students aged 12 and 13.
Throughout the investigation, authorities located a secondary site believed to be linked to the incident. Two more victims were found deceased inside a home and were identified as the suspect’s 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother.
Officials noted that two victims were transported by air to a hospital with severe or life-threatening injuries. One injured individual, a woman who had been presumed dead, survived, reducing the fatality count from the initially reported 10 to nine.
Police reported that roughly 25 additional individuals with non-life-threatening injuries were brought to the local medical facility for evaluation.
“This was a fast-moving and fluid situation, and the prompt collaboration from the school, emergency personnel, and the community was essential to our response,” stated Superintendent Ken Floyd, North District Commander, in a release. “Our hearts go out to the families, relatives, and everyone affected by this tragic event. This has been an extraordinarily challenging and emotional day for our community, and we appreciate the cooperation demonstrated as investigators proceed with their work.”
Police confirmed that all other students and personnel were securely evacuated from the school building.
Law enforcement does not suspect any other perpetrators or continued danger to the public.
Floyd verified that the shooter matched the description in an earlier police bulletin as a “female in a dress with brown hair.”
Canadian Prime Minister expressed that he was shattered by the terrible shootings.
“My thoughts and sincerest sympathies are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones in these terrible violent acts. I stand with Canadians in mourning those whose lives have been forever altered today, and in appreciation for the bravery and sacrifice of the emergency workers who put their lives on the line to safeguard their fellow citizens. Our capacity to unite during a crisis represents the finest aspects of our nation—our empathy, our solidarity, and our compassion for one another,” he posted on X.
The RCMP initially confirmed an Tuesday at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, where at least one suspect was found dead.
Supplementary law enforcement resources were sent to the scene from nearby detachments, together with the North District Emergency Response Team.
In a notice published on its website, the Peace River South School District stated it was “aware of a lockdown and secure and hold at Tumbler Ridge Secondary and Tumbler Ridge Elementary schools.”
“We request that the public remain patient as we collaborate with the RCMP,” school authorities wrote.
Larry Neufeld, the representative for Peace River South in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, issued a statement on social media indicating he was en route to the location.
“I am cognizant of the active shooter situation presently developing in Tumbler Ridge, and my thoughts are with the residents as this scenario evolves,” Neufeld wrote. “I have been in direct communication with the Solicitor General to obtain updates and to guarantee that all required provincial resources are being deployed to assist local police and emergency responders.
“Public safety is the top priority. I encourage all individuals in the vicinity to adhere to RCMP directions, stay indoors, and depend solely on official information,” he added. “I am departing Victoria right away to return to my constituency to be present and ready to assist the community however necessary. I will maintain close involvement as this situation develops.”