At least nine people, including six students and two adults, were killed and 25 others injured in a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a nearby residence in the rural mountain town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia province, Canada, on Tuesday.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) responded to reports of an active shooter at the school, which serves 175 students from Grades 7 to 12, around 1:20 p.m. local time, discovering six deceased victims on site, among them three 12-year-old female students, two male students aged 12 and 13, and a 39-year-old female educator.
Another victim died en route to hospital, while two more—a 39-year-old female and an 11-year-old male—were found dead at a residence linked to the incident, bringing the total fatalities to nine, including the shooter.
The suspect, identified as 18-year-old local resident Jesse Van Rootselaar, was found deceased at the school with a self-inflicted gunshot wound; authorities recovered a long gun and modified handgun, confirming the individual acted alone with no ongoing threat.
Two victims, females aged 12 and 19, were airlifted to hospital with serious or life-threatening injuries, while approximately 25 others received treatment for non-life-threatening wounds at a local medical centre.
An emergency alert described the shooter as a brown-haired woman in a dress, prompting residents to shelter in place until the all-clear was issued.
RCMP North District Commander Supt. Ken Floyd stated during a press conference that investigators have not determined a motive and are probing connections between the suspect and victims, withholding further details for privacy.
“We are not in a position to understand why or what motivated this tragedy, but we will strive to uncover what transpired,” Floyd said, noting the profound impact on the tight-knit community.
Over 100 students and staff were safely evacuated to a community centre, with counselling and support services mobilised alongside aid from provincial Premier David Eby, who referenced prior police interactions with the suspect.
The incident, one of Canada’s deadliest school shootings, has drawn international condolences as investigations continue by RCMP Major Crime Unit
