A wave of grief has swept through the small community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, after a mass shooting claimed nine lives, including six children, in one of the deadliest attacks of its kind in Canada.
Residents of the town, home to roughly 2,400 people, say they never imagined such violence could reach their quiet corner of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Tracy Krauss, a local pastor, described Tumbler Ridge as a place where crime felt distant and doors were often left unlocked. That sense of safety, she said, has now been shattered.
Authorities have identified the victims, among them 12-year-old Zoey Benoit, remembered by loved ones as strong and resilient. Another 12-year-old, Kylie Smith, was described by her family as the heart of their household, with aspirations of pursuing art studies in a larger city. Other victims include Abel Mwansa, 12; Ezekiel Schofield, 13; Emmett Jacobs, 11; and Jennifer Jacobs, 39.
A growing memorial near Tumbler Ridge Secondary School reflects the depth of the community’s sorrow. Flowers, candles, stuffed animals and handwritten messages now line the area as residents pay tribute.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit the town as messages of support arrive from across Canada.
Investigators are still working to understand what led 18-year-old suspect Jesse Van Rootselaar to carry out the attack. Police said the suspect was later found dead at the school from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities noted that Van Rootselaar was born male and had begun transitioning to female about six years ago.
Police confirmed that the suspect’s mother and stepbrother were among those killed. Both were discovered at a residence before the violence moved to the school. Officers responded to reports of gunfire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday.
Inside the school, which has about 160 students, teachers and students quickly sought shelter. Seventeen-year-old Darian Quist said he and classmates barricaded themselves inside a mechanics classroom using heavy tables after receiving an emergency alert on their phones. They remained hidden for more than two hours before officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and SWAT teams escorted them to safety.
Parents gathered anxiously at a nearby community centre as they awaited word about their children. Krauss said she was supporting a close friend during that time, only for the family to later learn their child was among those killed. She described the loss as unimaginable and said the entire town is grieving together.
Tumbler Ridge has long been defined by its mining roots and its striking natural surroundings, including its UNESCO-recognised geopark, one of only five in Canada. Bob Zimmer, the federal Conservative MP representing the area, said he hopes the town will ultimately be remembered for its beauty and strong community spirit rather than this tragedy.
Police disclosed that they had previously responded to mental health-related calls involving the suspect and had at one point seized firearms from the home. Those weapons were later returned following a successful petition by their registered owner. Authorities have not clarified who owned the firearms or how the suspect obtained the weapons used in the attack. They added that the suspect’s firearms licence had expired in 2024.
Zimmer acknowledged that broader discussions, including access to mental health support, are likely to follow. For now, however, he said the community’s focus remains on mourning, supporting one another and beginning the long process of healing.
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