Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia: 10 confirmed dead, 25 injured in mass shooting (2/10/2026)

[Kaley Smith]

You can post your condolences to the people of Tumbler Ridge on this British Columbia government site: Common Hosted Forms Service

 

[Dotta]

" 'No words that capture the horror’: ​

small Canada town shattered by mass school shooting.​

Remote coalmining community of Tumbler Ridge struggles to make sense of attack that has left Canada in shock.

'There are no words in the English language
that capture the horror of what happened',
said provincial lawmaker.

A town councillor whose wife is a teacher at the school, said
his 'heart and soul are heavy'
as residents struggled to make sense of the tragedy.

'I cannot stop thinking about the children, the teachers, and the first responders
who had to live through such a terrifying experience.
Like many in our community,
I felt the fear,
the kind that sits in your heart and soul that doesn’t let go.
The fear that I lost a loved one.
It is something
none of us should ever have to experience'.”

‘No words that capture the horror’: small Canada town shattered by mass school shooting

Remote coalmining community of Tumbler Ridge struggles to make sense of attack that has left Canada in shock

www.theguardian.com

 

[Skigh]

Trans shooter who went on rampage in school seen for first time

Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, opened fire in the library at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia on Tuesday afternoon.

www.dailymail.co.uk

The transgender gunman who murdered his mother and brother before killing six people in the second-deadliest school shooting in Canadian history is seen happily gripping a rifle in a disturbing photo.

Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, opened fire in the library at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia on Tuesday afternoon.

A female teacher was killed, alongside three girls and two boys aged between 13 and 17.

 

[Yellowbelly]

Trans shooter who went on rampage in school seen for first time

Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, opened fire in the library at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia on Tuesday afternoon.

www.dailymail.co.uk

The transgender gunman who murdered his mother and brother before killing six people in the second-deadliest school shooting in Canadian history is seen happily gripping a rifle in a disturbing photo.

Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, opened fire in the library at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia on Tuesday afternoon.

A female teacher was killed, alongside three girls and two boys aged between 13 and 17.

Isn't the real issue here that the police seized the guns at the property, presumably the mother's, but then gave them back, even through somebody resident at the property had gone through the Canadian equivalent of being sectioned.

 

[MistyWaters]

Isn't the real issue here that the police seized the guns at the property, presumably the mother's, but then gave them back, even through somebody resident at the property had gone through the Canadian equivalent of being sectioned.

Do we know if police had the right to refuse the return of the guns for that reason because without knowing that it can’t be assumed they had any options. Considering it’s the gun owners responsibility to safety and security store guns, I’m not so sure that possible mental health issues involving other family members living in the same household would be a factor considered by police but it would be interesting to know the answer for sure.

JMO

 

[EspressoBean]

There were more fatalities in 1989, but yesterday's shooting did have more victims.

The thing that's always gotten me about the 1989 shooting was that one of the police officers called to the scene showed up knowing that he might find his own daughter dead, and he did.

And of note, Polytechnique is a University, not to detract from that tragedy, but it is not categorically the same as a school shooting since the targets and victims there were adults.

 

[otto]

Guns were removed from the house, but the owner petitioned for them to be returned even though guns had been removed by RCMP and Jesse had been detained by RCMP under the mental health act.

The owner of the guns is unnamed, but it must be an adult who lived at the home. Jesse began to transition at age 12, but birthday cake photos at age 13 have the word "boy" written on the cake. I'm curious about family support of Jesse's decision.

Jesse's mother led a nomadic life, per court rulings, and was ordered to remain in BC and to provide telephone access to Jesse's father. Jesse's mother was proud of Jesse's youtube uploads about guns.

"According to police, the 18-year-old was assigned male at birth, but began transitioning to female about six years ago.​

...​

​

Strang’s children travelled the country with their mother, who was ordered not to remove them from British Columbia after an application from her former partner.​

​

“These children have led an almost nomadic life, from what I have been told, with multiple moves over the last five years between Newfoundland, Grand Cache and Powell River,” Justice Anthony Saunder wrote in a ruling ordering Strang to provide her children telephone access to their father. “It can hardly be the case that the children are tied in any meaningful sense to that one location.”​

...​

​

“Check out my oldest son Jesse Strang's YouTube channel. He posts about hunting, self reliance, guns and stuff he likes to do. He doesn’t go on much other social media so this is his way of sharing his life.”​

...​

​

Van Rootselaar had a firearms licence which expired in 2024. Firearms had been seized two years ago under the Criminal Code, but the lawful owner of the weapons petitioned for their return ... the suspect was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital for assessment."​

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/shooter-tumbler-ridge-what-we-know-teenage-suspect-9.7085858

Trans shooter who went on rampage in school seen for first time

Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, opened fire in the library at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia on Tuesday afternoon.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[otto]

"The transgender teenager struggled with his physical appearance and was fixated with guns and drugs. Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old from the remote town of Tumbler Ridge who was born a male, wrote online about his 6ft frame and his desire to be a “petite” woman.
...

Van Rootselaar, who described himself as “mtf” in posts (shorthand for male to female), recorded a video of himself in October 2023 firing a high-powered Desert Eagle handgun at a shooting range and shared his footage on a forum for other transgender people interested in guns.
...

Court records reveal how Van Rootselaar, a school dropout, and his five siblings had led a “nomadic lifestyle” that constantly uprooted them between Newfoundland and Powell River.
...

Police said there was a history of officers attending the shooter’s home for mental health-related call-outs, some of which concerned guns. There was no evidence to suggest he was bullied at school for being transgender, police said.
...

His mother shared a photograph in August 2024 of a gun cabinet housing five rifles and rounds of ammunition. “Think it’s time to take them out for some target practice,” read the photograph’s caption.

Revealed: 6ft trans school shooter wanted to be ‘petite’

Social media posts uncovered by The Telegraph reveal mental health issues of teenager who killed eight

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Sarahlou]

Abel Mwansa Jr.​

The son of a pastor, Abel Mwansa Jr., was killed Tuesday, according to an announcement from Burning Bush Ministries International - City of Grace Chapel shared on Facebook.
“This loss has brought profound grief to the family, the church, and all who knew and loved him. We kindly ask the Christian community, friends, and well-wishers to stand with the Mwansa family in prayer, love, and support during this difficult time,” the announcement read.

The boy’s parents, pastor Abel Mwansa and Bwalya Chisanga, mourned their son on social media, writing in a post that he will be greatly missed.

Mwansa said in another post that his son was a “good kid” who never missed school, writing in all caps, “Lord I thank you for 12 years 11 months we spent with you.”

‘A beautiful innocent soul’: Teacher and six children among Canada shooting victims

Among those killed are 12-year-olds Abel Mwansa Jr. and Kylie May, according to their families

www.independent.co.uk

 

[MistyWaters]

Below is an archive of a recent G&M article. As it’s paylocked I’m unable to c/p but it includes info about Jesse’s mental health issues, obviously unresolved. Much has already been reported elsewhere but a summary of new information -

https://web.archive.org/web/20260211232406/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tumbler-ridge-school-shooter-teenager-psychiatric-care/

- the youth had “recently” received mental health treatment in Princeton George but a relative feels level of help was lacking.
- in 2023 Jesse set fire to a bed in the family home.
- shooters struggle with mental illness began shortly before his transition in 2023 (*iirc contrary to other news reports that state it was six years ago.)
- guns were returned only about a month ago according to family member.
- his mother “tried and did everything she could” for who she referred to as “my oldest son” (2021 per FB)” according to a friend.
- one of Jesse’s last posts on YT reads “I’ve been pretty um, aimless. ,”

 

[otto]

In 2015, the shooter's father filed court documents to obtain access to his children. The mother had lived a "nomadic" lifestyle resulting the father having no knowledge of where the children were living. The mother was not allowed to remove the children (including the oldest child - the shooter) from BC, but did so anyway.

The court order required that the shooter be returned to BC, that the father is informed of his location, and that weekly phone calls be enforced to allow the father to have contact with his children - including the shooter.

In 2015, the shooter would have been 7 years old.

https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcsc/doc/2015/2015bcsc2544/2015bcsc2544.html

 

[MistyWaters]

In 2015, the shooter's father filed court documents to obtain access to his children. The mother had lived a "nomadic" lifestyle resulting the father having no knowledge of where the children were living. The mother was not allowed to remove the children (including the oldest child - the shooter) from BC, but did so anyway.

The court order required that the shooter be returned to BC, that the father is informed of his location, and that weekly phone calls be enforced to allow the father to have contact with his children - including the shooter.

In 2015, the shooter would have been 7 years old.

https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcsc/doc/2015/2015bcsc2544/2015bcsc2544.html

This court filing is rather surreal IMO. Instead of allowing a seven year to be surrounded by family members such as grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins ‘back home’ in NL his mom is forced to raise him in B.C. so it’s convenient for his father to talk on the phone to him? I’d hope current family court judges apply better judgement!

As a grieving father has not been mentioned regarding this shocking tragedy, I would bet he was never a stable force in this youth’s young life.
JMO

 

[otto]

This court filing is rather surreal IMO. Instead of allowing a seven year to be surrounded by family members such as grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins ‘back home’ in NL his mom is forced to raise him in B.C. so it’s convenient for his father to talk on the phone to him? I’d hope current family court judges apply better judgement!

As a grieving father has not been mentioned regarding this shocking tragedy, I would bet he was never a stable force in this youth’s young life.
JMO

Per the court order, the father had no contact with his children, including the shooter, because he did not know where they were. The shooter's mother was constantly moving around the country, and was labelled as living a "nomadic" lifestyle. Because of the absence of contact, against the father's wishes, it was decided that there would be a gradual introduction to a permanent, healthy relationship between the shooter and his father. The start of the process was three months of weekly phone calls.

 

[MistyWaters]

Per the court order, the father had no contact with his children, including the shooter, because he did not know where they were. The shooter's mother was constantly moving around the country, and was labelled as living a "nomadic" lifestyle. Because of the absence of contact, against the father's wishes, it was decided that there would be a gradual introduction to a permanent, healthy relationship between the shooter and his father. The start of the process was three months of weekly phone calls.

What we don’t know is if a permanent, healthy relationship was ever established with the father?

I just feel this entire tragedy is so sad, hopefully positive things can be learned from it. I can truly understand why a small northern mining community is not an ideal place for a child with mental illness and personal identity issues to thrive, especially if it’s true she dropped out of school at age 14. Due to its limited population, it would naturally lack many of the social supports and resources that can otherwise assist teenagers onto becoming responsible adults. I wonder how long they had lived there?

Isolation can become extremely unhealthy, especially for teenagers.
JMO

 

[otto]

What we don’t know is if a permanent, healthy relationship was ever established with the father?

I just feel this entire tragedy is so sad, hopefully positive things can be learned from it. I can truly understand why a small northern mining community is not an ideal place for a child with mental illness and personal identity issues to thrive, especially if it’s true she dropped out of school at age 14. Due to its limited population, it would naturally lack many of the social supports and resources that can otherwise assist teenagers onto becoming responsible adults. I wonder how long they had lived there?

Isolation can become extremely unhealthy, especially for teenagers.
JMO

True, we do not know whether there was cooperation, or continued efforts to prevent a relationship between the shooter and his father. I have not looked for additional court documents.

If there are 5 children (per links upthread), and the shooter is the oldest, then all five are close in age. The step-brother who was killed was born in 2015, at the same time that mother took the children to the Atlantic provinces (same time as father's affidavit for access to his children)

Based on RCMP statements, there were mental health problems, and there was no history of school-based bullying. Based on that, my impression was that small town and limited population was not a factor in the shooting.

"Police said there was a history of officers attending the shooter’s home for mental health-related call-outs, some of which concerned guns.

There was no evidence to suggest he was bullied at school for being transgender, police said."

Revealed: 6ft trans school shooter wanted to be ‘petite’

Social media posts uncovered by The Telegraph reveal mental health issues of teenager who killed eight

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[MistyWaters]

True, we do not know whether there was cooperation, or continued efforts to prevent a relationship between the shooter and his father. I have not looked for additional court documents.

If there are 5 children (per links upthread), and the shooter is the oldest, then all five are close in age. The step-brother who was killed was born in 2015, at the same time that mother took the children to the Atlantic provinces (same time as father's affidavit for access to his children)

Based on RCMP statements, there were mental health problems, and there was no history of school-based bullying. Based on that, my impression was that small town and limited population was not a factor in the shooting.

"Police said there was a history of officers attending the shooter’s home for mental health-related call-outs, some of which concerned guns.

There was no evidence to suggest he was bullied at school for being transgender, police said."

Revealed: 6ft trans school shooter wanted to be ‘petite’

Social media posts uncovered by The Telegraph reveal mental health issues of teenager who killed eight

www.telegraph.co.uk

I also dont think the small mining town was a factor in the shooting. But what I meant to say is I think a small town can be a negative factor in the well being of a teenage who doesn’t fall within the mainstream of excelling in team sports and whatever else determines high school popularity.

What future opportunity would there be for a transgender person who dropped out of school at 14 to look optimistically toward a bright future in Tumbler Ridge or any small town for that matter? I’d bet not much of anything, It’s simply a matter of economy of scale. I bet no peer group, no gender-sexuality supportive alliances. It’s often that darkness in isolation which can turn dangerous.

I’m not condoning nor blaming anything for this tragedy, just trying to imagine what on earth went wrong. How can any person intently shoot to kill so many innocent children along with their mother and a stepbrother?
JMO

 

[airportwoman]

Per the court order, the father had no contact with his children, including the shooter, because he did not know where they were. The shooter's mother was constantly moving around the country, and was labelled as living a "nomadic" lifestyle. Because of the absence of contact, against the father's wishes, it was decided that there would be a gradual introduction to a permanent, healthy relationship between the shooter and his father. The start of the process was three months of weekly phone calls.

Does anyone else wonder if the mother's "nomadic lifestyle" was being she was constantly moving to get away from him, for some very good reasons? Was he the father of all the kids, or just Jesse?

 

[MistyWaters]

Does anyone else wonder if the mother's "nomadic lifestyle" was being she was constantly moving to get away from him, for some very good reasons? Was he the father of all the kids, or just Jesse?

Yes I’ll admit I wondered. There’s usually two sides to every story.

 

[otto]

I also dont think the small mining town was a factor in the shooting. But what I meant to say is I think a small town can be a negative factor in the well being of a teenage who doesn’t fall within the mainstream of excelling in team sports and whatever else determines high school popularity.

What future opportunity would there be for a transgender person who dropped out of school at 14 to look optimistically toward a bright future in Tumbler Ridge or any small town for that matter? I’d bet not much of anything, It’s simply a matter of economy of scale. I bet no peer group, no gender-sexuality supportive alliances. It’s often that darkness in isolation which can turn dangerous.

I’m not condoning nor blaming anything for this tragedy, just trying to imagine what on earth went wrong. How can any person intently shoot to kill so many innocent children along with their mother and a stepbrother?
JMO

At age 18, he was an adult who should mapping out a future anywhere he wants. We know he has a father in BC, and extended family on the East Coast. He didn't have to stay in Tumbler Ridge.

 

[MelmothTheLost]

Does anyone else wonder if the mother's "nomadic lifestyle" was being she was constantly moving to get away from him, for some very good reasons? Was he the father of all the kids, or just Jesse?

Equally it could just have been out of spite, to prevent a perfectly ordinary or decent father having access to his children. Women are just as capable of being controlling as men are.