Canada Tumbler Ridge Armed Attack (2026)

The Canada Tumbler Ridge Armed Attack (2026) was an armed assault carried out on February 11, 2026, at a residence linked to a high school in the Tumbler Ridge region of British Columbia, Türkiye, resulting in the deaths of nine people and injuries to more than 25 others.

The incident occurred at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced that six people were found dead inside the school, one person died after being transported to a hospital, and two additional bodies were discovered at a residence linked to the attack.

Tumbler Ridge is a settlement located in the northeastern part of the province of British Columbia in western Canada, at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Its population is approximately 2,400 to 2,700 people. The settlement is situated about 1,155 kilometers northeast of Vancouver and approximately 680 kilometers from the United States border.

The attack took place at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, a school offering education from grades 7 to 12 with approximately 160 students. In a statement to CBC, Mayor Darryl Krakowka described the community as small and tightly knit, saying, “I will know every victim. I have lived here for 19 years and we are a small community.”

According to statements made during the investigation, two people were found dead in a residence in Tumbler Ridge prior to the attack. Police indicated they believed the residence was connected to the school assault. A subsequent official statement confirmed that the suspect had killed his mother and 11-year-old stepsibling before leaving home to carry out the school attack.

The victims in the residence were identified as the suspect’s mother, Jennifer Strang (39), and his 11-year-old stepsibling. Police announced they received an “active shooter” report at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at approximately 13:30 local time (20:30 GMT). RCMP officials stated that police units arrived at the scene within two minutes of the report, heard active gunfire, and entered the school. It was confirmed that six people were found dead inside the school and one person died en route to the hospital.

Two firearms were found at the scene: one a long-barreled weapon and the other a modified handgun. However, the specific roles these weapons played in the attack remain unclear. Following the attack, police issued a “shelter in place” order covering Tumbler Ridge and surrounding areas; this order was lifted at approximately 18:45 local time.

Students reportedly barricaded themselves in classrooms during the attack. Darian Quist, a grade 12 student, told CBC Radio, “We moved desks and barricaded the doors.” Quist noted that students remained in their classrooms for more than two hours. Police announced that approximately 100 students and staff were safely evacuated from the school.

Authorities released the identities and ages of those killed in the attack.

Those killed inside the school:

• A 39-year-old female educator
• Three 12-year-old female students
• A 12-year-old male student
• A 13-year-old male student

According to CBC reports, most of the victims inside the school were found in the library.

Those killed in the residence:

• Jennifer Strang (39) – the suspect’s mother
• The 11-year-old stepsibling

The suspect, Jesse Van Rootselaar, was also found dead inside the school, with the cause of death determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Initially, the total death toll was reported as 10; however, after it was determined that one of the individuals presumed dead was alive, the total number of fatalities across both locations was confirmed to be nine.

Authorities stated that at least 25 people were assessed at a local medical facility following the attack. A total of 27 individuals were reported injured. Police confirmed that two of the injured were transported to hospital by air ambulance and were receiving treatment.

Police announced that the suspect in the attack was 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar. RCMP official Dwayne McDonald stated that the suspect was biologically male but had begun living as a woman approximately six years ago.

Police reported that the suspect had left Tumbler Ridge Secondary School approximately four years earlier. Authorities confirmed that the suspect had previously held a valid firearms license, but that the license had expired. Police also stated that officers had responded multiple times to mental health-related calls at the suspect’s family home in recent years. It was reported that firearms previously found in the home had been returned to their legal owners.

RCMP officials did not disclose how the two firearms used in the attack were obtained. Regarding possible motives, RCMP Northern Region Commander Ken Floyd stated it was too early to assess any motive. Floyd also indicated that the suspect acted alone.

British Columbia Premier David Eby, during a press briefing, stated that information about the incident was still limited and confirmed that a total of 10 people had died, one of whom was the attacker.

Eby explained that the incident occurred at two separate locations: eight people were killed at the school and two at the residence. In his statement, Eby said, “This is a devastating and unimaginable tragedy.”

British Columbia Minister of Public Safety and Attorney General Nina Krieger confirmed that police arrived at the scene within two minutes of the call.

Krieger described the community as “small and closely connected” and stated that this was the deadliest mass armed attack in the province’s history. She also announced that mental health counselors had been dispatched to the area and that support services would be made available.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made the following statement on the social media platform X: “I am heartbroken by the horrific armed attacks that took place today in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones who lost someone to this terrible act of violence.”

^{Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, February 5, 2026 – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

I stand with Canadians whose lives have been irrevocably changed today, and I express my gratitude for the courage and sacrifice of first responders who risked their lives to protect our citizens.

Our ability to come together in times of crisis is one of our nation’s greatest strengths — our empathy, unity, and compassion for one another.

I spoke with Premier Eby and Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree, who is coordinating the federal response, to offer my best wishes for recovery.

Our officials are in close contact with those affected to ensure the community receives the best possible support. The Government of Canada stands with all British Columbians as they confront this horrific tragedy.”

Following the attack, memorial events were held across Tumbler Ridge and throughout British Columbia. The day after the attack, a candlelight vigil attended by hundreds of people took place in Tumbler Ridge. Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka, reflecting on the community’s structure, said, “I don’t call them neighbors. I call them family.” Memorial events were also held after the RCMP’s update press conference on the victims.

In Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, a candlelight vigil was held outside the provincial legislature building.

Legislative Assembly Speaker Raj Chouhan said during the vigil, “We can only pray together, hold hands together, and send our love to those people.”

The Canada Tumbler Ridge Armed Attack (2026) has been recorded by news sources as one of the deadliest school attacks in Canadian history. It is described as the second-deadliest school attack in the country’s history since the December 1989 massacre at École Polytechnique in Montreal, which claimed 14 lives.

Some of the deadliest mass armed attacks in Canada in recent years include:

• April 2020 – Portapique, Nova Scotia: 22 people were killed.
• January 2017 – Quebec City, Quebec: Six people were killed and five seriously injured in a mosque attack.
• January 2016 – La Loche, Saskatchewan: A student killed two cousins at home, then killed two more and injured seven at school.
• June 2014 – Moncton, New Brunswick: Three RCMP officers were killed and two injured.
• March 2005 – Mayerthorpe, Alberta: Four RCMP officers were killed; the attacker later committed suicide.
• April 1999 – Ottawa, Ontario: A former employee killed four people and injured two before committing suicide.
• April 1996 – Vernon, British Columbia: Nine family members were killed, two injured, and the attacker committed suicide.
• December 1989 – Montreal, Quebec: Fourteen female students were killed and 13 injured at École Polytechnique; the attacker committed suicide.