RCMP Identifies 18‑Year‑Old Suspect in Tumbler Ridge School and Home Shootings That Killed Eight
RCMP identified the suspect as 18‑year‑old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who died of a self‑inflicted gunshot after a rampage that left eight people dead in Tumbler Ridge; investigators said her 39‑year‑old mother and 11‑year‑old stepbrother were killed at a nearby home before the school attack, and none of the school victims were related to her. Police said Van Rootselaar had prior mental‑health–related contacts with officers, recovered a long gun and a modified handgun at the scenes, found most school victims in the library, and that officers arrived within about two minutes of the first call.
📌 Key Facts
- RCMP identified the suspect as 18‑year‑old Jesse Van Rootselaar; she died from a self‑inflicted gunshot wound.
- RCMP revised the death toll to eight victims (not including the suspect); one person who was airlifted and initially thought dead was later found to be alive.
- The attacks included shootings at a school in Tumbler Ridge and at a nearby home; RCMP said the suspect’s 39‑year‑old mother and 11‑year‑old stepbrother were killed at the home, and no school victims were related to the suspect.
- Officials said Van Rootselaar had prior mental‑health–related contacts with police at her home.
- Police recovered a long gun and a modified handgun; most school victims were found in the library, and officers arrived within about two minutes of the first call.
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February 11, 2026
9:28 PM
Suspect in Canada school shooting is identified as 18-year-old who had prior mental health calls
New information:
- Police identified the suspect as 18‑year‑old Jesse Van Rootselaar and said she died from a self‑inflicted gunshot wound.
- RCMP revised the death toll to eight victims plus the suspect, clarifying that an airlifted victim initially thought dead was still alive.
- Officials said Van Rootselaar had prior mental‑health‑related contacts with police at her home.
- RCMP confirmed the suspect’s 39‑year‑old mother and 11‑year‑old stepbrother were killed at a nearby home before the school attack, and that no school victims were related to the suspect.
- Police recovered a long gun and a modified handgun and said most school victims were found in the library, with officers arriving within about two minutes of the first call.