Suspected shooter found dead following attack at Canadian high school that killed 9

Tragic Shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School

On Tuesday, a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia resulted in the deaths of at least nine individuals, according to authorities. The suspect has been identified as an 18-year-old transgender woman, who reportedly killed two family members before turning the gun on the school.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) responded to reports of an active shooter around 1:20 p.m. local time. Upon their arrival, officers discovered six victims inside the school, along with the suspect, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootseller, who was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury.

It was noted that Van Rootseller had attended the school until dropping out four years prior. While identifying as female, Van Rootseller was assigned male at birth and had begun transitioning six years earlier.

Reports indicated that the suspect had a history of mental health issues and had previous interactions with law enforcement. Access to weapons stored at home was also raised as a concern. Police had visited the residence multiple times for mental health checks, and although weapons had been taken at one point under criminal law, they were eventually returned.

Two firearms—one long gun and a modified handgun—were recovered from the school, neither of which were registered to Van Rootseller. It was noted that the suspect previously held a firearms license that expired in 2024.

The six victims inside the school included a 39-year-old female educator, three 12-year-old female students, and two male students aged 12 and 13.

During the investigation, authorities discovered two additional victims in the suspect’s home. They were identified as Van Rootseller’s mother, aged 39, and an 11-year-old stepbrother. Also, two victims were airlifted to hospitals in serious condition. Notably, one woman, initially thought to have succumbed to her injuries, is now alive, bringing the death toll down from ten to nine.

Approximately 25 others suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a nearby medical facility for evaluation.

Superintendent Ken Floyd noted the rapid evolution of the situation, emphasizing the critical role of community cooperation and first responders. He expressed condolences for everyone affected, stating, “This is an incredibly difficult and emotional day for our community.”

All remaining students and staff were evacuated safely, and the authorities do not believe there are any further threats to public safety. Floyd confirmed that the shooter matched the description given earlier by police alerts.

Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his devastation over the incident, offering prayers and condolences to the families impacted. He praised the first responders and underscored the importance of empathy and unity during such crises.

In response to the ongoing situation, additional police resources from nearby detachments were deployed to assist.

Local school officials informed the public about lockdown measures and called for patience as they coordinated with the RCMP. Legislative Assembly representative Larry Neufeld mentioned his awareness of the situation and his commitment to supporting local efforts.