British Columbia School Shooting – Tumbler Ridge 2026 Timeline Victims

The February 2026 Tumbler Ridge school shooting ranks among Canada’s deadliest mass casualty events at an educational facility. An 18-year-old former student opened fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, resulting in eight deaths plus the shooter, with dozens more wounded.

The attack followed a shooting at a family residence, marking a coordinated incident that sent shockwaves through the small northern British Columbia community. RCMP confirmed the events unfolded over a matter of minutes on the afternoon of February 10, 2026.

Authorities have released the identities of all victims and continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. This article provides a comprehensive account of what occurred, the individuals affected, and the ongoing response.

What Happened in the 2026 Tumbler Ridge School Shooting?

The incident began at a family home on Fellers Avenue before extending to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, approximately 1.5 kilometres away. Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, fatally shot her mother and 11-year-old half-brother before driving to the school and continuing the attack.

Key Facts About the Incident

• The attack spanned two locations: a residence on Fellers Avenue and Tumbler Ridge Secondary School
• Eight victims died at the school, plus the shooter, with two additional deaths at the family home
• Twenty-five to twenty-seven people sustained injuries, with two airlifted for serious trauma care
• One individual initially reported dead en route to hospital ultimately survived
• The shooter used a modified rifle and long gun, according to police findings
• RCMP received the first emergency call at approximately 2:20 p.m. Mountain Standard Time
• Superintendent Ken Floyd confirmed the shootings occurred within minutes of each other

Who Was the Shooter and What Is Known About Them?

Police identified the perpetrator as Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old female who was a former student at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. RCMP officially named her as the suspect on February 11, 2026, following confirmation of her identity through forensic evidence.

Van Rootselaar died by suicide shortly after officers arrived at the school, according to statements from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Investigators confirmed she acted alone and found no evidence of additional suspects or accomplices.

Background Details

While authorities have confirmed Van Rootselaar’s identity and her status as a former student, substantial background information about her personal history, mental health, or potential motives remains limited. The shooter’s mother, Jennifer Strang (also reported as Jennifer Jacobs), was among the victims at the family residence.

School district officials confirmed that Van Rootselaar was no longer enrolled at the time of the shooting, though she retained familiarity with the facility and its layout. Security protocols and how a former student gained access to the building remain subjects of the ongoing inquiry.

Casualties, Victims, and Injuries in the Shooting

The violence resulted in nine total deaths, including the perpetrator. Two victims died at the family home on Fellers Avenue, while six were killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. One additional person transported to hospital with critical injuries initially appeared on casualty lists but subsequently survived.

Victims at the Family Residence

At the home, Van Rootselaar’s mother, 39-year-old Jennifer Strang (also identified as Jennifer Jacobs in some reports), and her 11-year-old half-brother, Emmett Jacobs, were fatally shot. Initial reports that the boy was eight years old were corrected in subsequent updates.

Victims at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School

Six individuals died at the school, comprising five students and one adult staff member. Police confirmed their identities on February 12, 2026, following notification of next of kin.

• Shannda Aviugana-Durand, 39 — Education assistant at the school
• Abel Mwansa — Student (age not specified in available reports)
• Kylie Smith, 12 — Student
• Zoey Benoit, 12 — Student
• Ticaria Lampert, 12 — Student
• Ezekiel Schofield, 13 — Student

The victims ranged in age from 12 to 39, with five of the six school victims being children under 14. The adult victim, Shannda Aviugana-Durand, worked as an education assistant supporting students with special needs.

Injuries and Medical Response

Between 25 and 27 people sustained wounds during the attack, with injury counts varying slightly across sources as medical assessments continued. BC Emergency Health Services coordinated triage efforts at the scene.

Two patients required air ambulance transport to specialized trauma facilities due to the severity of their injuries. Emergency responders established a casualty collection point to assess and prioritize treatment for the wounded.

Timeline: How the Tumbler Ridge Shooting Unfolded

The violence escalated rapidly on February 10, 2026, with most major events occurring within a two-hour window. The following reconstruction draws from official RCMP statements, emergency service logs, and witness accounts.

1. Approximately 2:20 p.m. — RCMP receives report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. By this time, Van Rootselaar had already killed two family members at the residence on Fellers Avenue, approximately 1.5 kilometres away.
2. 2:22 p.m. — Officers arrive at the school, enter the building, and locate seven individuals deceased. The shooter is found among the dead, later confirmed to have died by suicide.
3. 2:47 p.m. — A neighbor contacts police after being approached by an unrelated young female. Officers respond to the Fellers Avenue residence and discover two additional deaths.
4. Approximately 3:15 p.m. — Emergency alerts issued to Tumbler Ridge residents, describing the suspect as a female wearing a dress with brown hair. Authorities order a shelter-in-place directive for the community.
5. 4:16 p.m. — RCMP confirms the active shooter situation, indicates the suspect is believed deceased, and states officers are checking for a potential second suspect.
6. Approximately 5:45–6:45 p.m. — The public emergency alert is cancelled. Police announce there is no ongoing threat to the community.
7. 7:00 p.m. — RCMP provides the first official casualty count: seven dead at the school, including the suspect; two dead at the residence; 25 injured. Students and staff are evacuated.
8. 7:45 p.m. — Superintendent Ken Floyd addresses media, stating that motivations for the attack remain unclear.

RCMP Investigation Updates and What Remains Unknown

The RCMP continue to lead the investigation into the Tumbler Ridge shooting. Officers have processed both crime scenes, conducted interviews with witnesses and community members, and examined physical evidence including the weapons used.

Police have stated that the investigation found no evidence of additional suspects or accomplices. The department worked with Peace River School District 81 to facilitate reunification of students with their families following the evacuation.

Established Facts vs. Remaining Uncertainties

Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed condolences following the attack, though no formal policy announcements or governmental responses had been detailed as of mid-February 2026. The investigation remains ongoing, with no further public updates issued since February 12.

The Context: Tumbler Ridge and Canadian School Safety

Tumbler Ridge is a small community in northeastern British Columbia with a population of approximately 2,000 residents. The town developed as a coal mining centre in the 1970s and has faced economic fluctuations as the industry changed. Tumbler Ridge Secondary School serves as the community’s sole secondary institution.

The February 2026 shooting represents one of the deadliest attacks at a Canadian educational facility in recorded history. Mass shootings at schools remain statistically rare in Canada, though the country has experienced several high-profile incidents over the past decades.

Following the shooting, the community was placed under a lockdown order while emergency services secured the area. BC Emergency Health Services coordinated the medical response, establishing triage protocols to handle the volume of injured patients.

The shooting has prompted discussions about school security protocols, access control at educational facilities, and youth violence prevention in British Columbia. However, official reviews or policy changes had not been announced as of the most recent available reporting.

Sources and Official Statements

Multiple official and journalistic sources contributed information to the public record of this incident. The following outlets provided verifiable details used in this article.

RCMP stated seven dead at the school, including the suspect, with two additional deaths at the residence and 25 people injured. Students and staff were evacuated as emergency protocols were activated.

— Royal Canadian Mounted Police, public statement, February 10, 2026

Superintendent Ken Floyd told reporters that motivations behind the attack remained unclear, and the investigation would focus on establishing a complete picture of the events that afternoon.

— Supt. Ken Floyd, media availability, February 10, 2026

Additional information was drawn from verified news reports, official police timelines, and community sources. Initial casualty counts varied across outlets due to the evolving nature of emergency response and communication.

Summary

The 2026 Tumbler Ridge school shooting claimed nine lives, including those of eight victims and the perpetrator, Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18. The violence began at a family residence where Van Rootselaar killed her mother and half-brother before proceeding to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where six additional individuals died. Between 25 and 27 others sustained injuries.

Police confirmed the shooter’s identity on February 11 and released victim names the following day. The investigation found no additional suspects and continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack. Questions about motive, access to weapons, and security measures at the school remain unanswered.

The small northern British Columbia community of Tumbler Ridge, with approximately 2,000 residents, was placed under lockdown during the emergency response. The event ranks among Canada’s most devastating school shootings in modern history.

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