Police identify B.C. shooting suspect, say five students and teacher dead

By Canadian Press on February 11, 2026.

TUMBLER RIDGE — Police say a female teacher and five students were among the victims of a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge on Tuesday.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald says the 18-year-old female suspect Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was found dead at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, had a history of contact with police, and that the suspect’s mother and stepbrother were found dead at their home.

He says the suspect was born a biological male and was transitioning.

McDonald says police who turned up at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School arrived to the sound of “active gunfire,” including shots fired in the direction of police.

He says Van Rootselaar is believed to have initially killed his mother and stepbrother at the home where police have attended multiple mental health incidents.

He clarified that the death toll was nine, including Van Rootselaar, and not 10 as had been previously reported.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2026.

The Canadian Press