TUMBLER RIDGE – A deadly school shooting in western Canada has left nine people dead, including the 18-year-old shooter, police confirmed on Wednesday.
The suspect, identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, killed her mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at home before attacking her former school. She later died by suicide at the scene in Tumbler Ridge, a remote community in British Columbia.
Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Van Rootselaar had a history of mental health issues. Police had previously intervened under the provincial Mental Health Act to assess her condition.
Authorities recovered a long gun and a modified handgun at the school. The attack injured dozens more, with several victims in serious condition, including a 12-year-old girl fighting for her life.
Unlike the United States, school shootings are rare in Canada, and the news shocked the nation. Prime Minister Mark Carney postponed a trip to Europe and ordered flags on government buildings to be flown at half-mast for seven days. He described the killings as a national tragedy and urged citizens to support each other during the mourning period.
Mayor Darryl Krakowka of Tumbler Ridge called the community “one big family” and encouraged residents to help each other in the aftermath.
Police said Van Rootselaar acted alone, and investigators have not yet determined a clear motive. The shooter had once attended the school but dropped out four years ago.
Canada has stricter gun laws than the United States, but licensed firearms are permitted. Police confirmed that Van Rootselaar’s firearms license had expired in 2024, and authorities had previously seized weapons from the family residence, returning them after a successful appeal.
The attack is among the deadliest school shootings in Canadian history, following previous tragedies in Nova Scotia in 2020 and Montreal in 1989. Leaders around the world, including King Charles, expressed condolences and solidarity with Canada.
In other news read more about Tumbler Ridge School Shooting in Canada Leaves 10 Dead, Including Suspect
Officials continue to investigate the events, while the Tumbler Ridge community mourns the victims and supports survivors of this shocking tragedy.
