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Ten people are dead and approximately 27 others injured following a shooting at a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, on Tuesday, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The incident is now one of the deadliest school shootings in Canadian history.

Police said the investigation involves two “connected” crime scenes: a private residence and Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which serves Grades 7–12 and has an enrolment of roughly 160 students. The town has a population of about 2,400.

Police have confirmed the suspected shooter is 18-year-old Jesse van Rootselaar. According to the RCMP, van Rootselaar began transitioning approximately six years ago, around age 12. A public YouTube account believed to belong to van Rootselaar features a transgender flag and lists “she/her” pronouns.

During the initial emergency alert, police described the suspect as a “female in a dress with brown hair”. In later communications, the RCMP referred to the deceased shooter using the term “gunperson”. The terminology drew public attention on social media and in some media commentary. The RCMP has not explained the language used in its alerts.

Timeline of the Attack

According to police, van Rootselaar first killed two family members at the family home, located approximately three blocks from the school. Among the victims were van Rootselaar’s mother—who had affirmed his transgender identity—and his 11-year-old brother.

Van Rootselaar then went to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where he began shooting shortly after 1:20 p.m. local time. Police have confirmed that all of the deceased child victims at the school were between 11 and 13 years old.

When officers entered the building, they found six people dead and the suspect deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A seventh victim later died while being transported to hospital. Two people were airlifted to larger centres with life-threatening injuries, and about 25 others were treated or assessed at the local medical facility.

Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka said he was at the town hall during the lockdown and learned of the fatalities there.

“I have lived here for 18 years,” Krakowka said. “I probably know every one of the victims.”

Grade 12 student Darian Quist told CBC that he heard an alarm he had never heard before while in class. Students barricaded themselves inside classrooms and waited for more than two hours before the lockdown was lifted.

“The reality of it all is starting to set in,” Quist said. “I believe I knew somebody, but everything is still very fresh.”

Police Response and Background Details

Superintendent Ken Floyd, the RCMP’s North District Commander, confirmed van Rootselaar’s identity and the timeline of his transition. Police have also confirmed that van Rootselaar had dropped out of school around age 14, approximately two years after beginning to transition.

Floyd told reporters that investigators are working to understand what motivated the attack, but declined to provide additional details about van Rootselaar’s background or any potential connection between his gender identity and the violence.

Independent journalist Andy Ngo reported that a YouTube account believed to belong to van Rootselaar featured an image combining a firearm, an anime character, and a transgender pride flag. Ngo also referenced previous mass shootings in North America in which the perpetrators identified as transgender, including attacks in Nashville in 2023 and Minneapolis in 2025.

Authorities have not commented on whether the suspect’s gender identity played any role in the investigation or motive determination.

Political Response

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended a planned European trip and issued a statement offering condolences to the victims and the community. British Columbia Premier David Eby urged Canadians to support the residents of Tumbler Ridge as they grieve.

Neither leader addressed questions surrounding the shooter’s transgender identity or the medical transition pathway that began when van Rootselaar was approximately 12 years old.

Local journalist and longtime resident Trent Ernst said the scale of the tragedy had deeply affected the community.
“These things are things that happen elsewhere,” Ernst said. “They don’t happen here. And that’s been shattered.”
The investigation remains ongoing.

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Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons: BC Premier David Eby and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger hold a press conference in response to the 10 February 2026 shootings in Tumbler Ridge, BC.