Ten Dead in Tumbler Ridge School Shooting

Tragic news from Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. A shooting at the local secondary school resulted in 8 deaths and 27 injuries. The suspected shooter died by suicide. Two other people were found dead at a home. Investigations are ongoing to understand why this happened.
By Newsroom | Crime, Canada |

A Community Shattered

On a Tuesday afternoon in Tumbler Ridge, a small, close-knit community in northeastern British Columbia, an unimaginable tragedy unfolded. Gunfire erupted at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, sending shockwaves through the town and leaving eight people dead and 27 injured. The violence also extended to a private residence, where two more individuals were found deceased. The incident, described by officials as one of the worst mass shootings in Canada, has plunged the community into mourning and raised urgent questions about the perpetrator's motives and access to weapons.

The Timeline of Terror

The events began to unfold on Tuesday afternoon. At approximately 1:30 PM local time (20:30 GMT), police received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Officers arrived at the scene within minutes. Simultaneously, or shortly before, police were called to a private residence. Tragically, eight people were killed and 27 others sustained injuries as a result of the attacks. The suspected shooter, identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, was found dead at the school from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigations are ongoing to piece together the precise sequence of events and establish any connections between the victims and the perpetrator.

Read More: Man Jailed After His XL Bully Dog Kills Neighbor

'So many young lives were ended so needlessly': What we know about the Tumbler Ridge school victims - 1

Lives Lost and Injured

The victims of this horrific event include both young students and adults. At Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, six people were found deceased:

  • A 39-year-old female teacher

  • Five students: three 12-year-old girls, a 12-year-old boy, and a 13-year-old boy.

At a separate residence, the bodies of Jesse Van Rootselaar's mother, Jennifer Strang, and his 11-year-old step-brother, Emmett Strang, were discovered.

'So many young lives were ended so needlessly': What we know about the Tumbler Ridge school victims - 2

Those injured were transported to the Tumbler Ridge Community Health Centre and other facilities. One individual was reported to be "fighting for her life" in the immediate aftermath.

The Suspected Perpetrator

The individual identified as the suspect is Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old resident of Tumbler Ridge. Police confirmed he had dropped out of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School approximately four years prior. Authorities noted that Van Rootselaar had been born biologically male but had been transitioning to female for the past six years. Police had responded to his family's residence on multiple occasions over several years for calls related to mental health concerns, and firearms were seized from the home during past responses. Van Rootselaar was found deceased at the school from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot injury.

Read More: Teenager Allegedly Used Roblox Game in Canada Shooting

'So many young lives were ended so needlessly': What we know about the Tumbler Ridge school victims - 3

Deep Dive: The Attacks Unfold

Violence at the School

The primary scene of the tragedy was Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Reports indicate the shooting began within the school building, with injured individuals found throughout. Police received the initial report of an active shooter at 1:30 PM local time. The swift response of law enforcement aimed to contain the situation and prevent further casualties.

Tragedy at the Residence

Before the school shooting, the suspect's mother, Jennifer Strang, and his 11-year-old step-brother, Emmett Strang, were found deceased at their home. The circumstances surrounding their deaths are a critical part of the ongoing investigation, potentially shedding light on the events leading up to the school attack.

'So many young lives were ended so needlessly': What we know about the Tumbler Ridge school victims - 4

Expert Analysis and Official Statements

"Eight people have been killed and 27 injured after a mass shooting in the community of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., on Tuesday." - Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

"So many young lives were ended so needlessly." - Unnamed Official, reflecting on the loss of young students.

"Police officers arrived at the school within two minutes." - Dwayne McDonald, Deputy Commissioner of the RCMP, highlighting the rapid emergency response.

"This is something that will reverberate for years to come." - Dennis Campbell, a Tumbler Ridge resident, commenting on the lasting impact of the tragedy.

"The B.C. government has proclaimed today a day of mourning across the province, in honour of the victims of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting." - CBC News, reporting on official actions to acknowledge the loss.

Unanswered Questions and Future Steps

While details are emerging, several crucial questions remain:

Read More: Kanpur Lamborghini Crash: Businessman's Son Arrested, Gets Bail Quickly

  • Motive: What drove Jesse Van Rootselaar to commit these acts? Investigators are exploring all possibilities.

  • Weapon Access: How did Van Rootselaar obtain the firearms, a long gun and a modified handgun, used in the attacks? Were there any missed opportunities to prevent him from acquiring them, given previous mental health-related calls to his residence?

  • Timeline: Can the exact sequence of events at the residence and the school be definitively established?

  • Connections: Was there a specific connection between the suspect and the teacher and students killed at the school, beyond shared attendance?

Authorities are committed to a thorough investigation to provide answers to the community and the nation. The RCMP and other agencies are continuing to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and analyze forensic data. The provincial government has declared a day of mourning to honor the victims. The community of Tumbler Ridge, with a population of approximately 2,000, faces a long road to recovery from this devastating event.

Sources

Read More: Shooting in Tumbler Ridge: 18-Year-Old Suspect Dies, 9 Others Killed

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened in Tumbler Ridge?
A shooting happened at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Eight people were killed and 27 were hurt. Two more people were found dead at a house.
Q: Who was the shooter?
The suspected shooter was an 18-year-old named Jesse Van Rootselaar. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the school.
Q: How many people died?
Ten people died in total. Eight died at the school, and two were found at a home.
Q: Were any children hurt?
Yes, five students aged 12 and 13 were killed at the school. An 11-year-old boy also died at the home.
Q: What are the police doing now?
Police are investigating why the shooting happened and how the suspect got the guns. They are also trying to understand the exact order of events.