Mass Shooting In Tumbler Ridge Leaves Eight Victims Dead
Photo Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi via CityNews
On Feb. 10, a mass shooting occurred in the small town of Tumbler Ridge, BC. Six children and two adults were killed, and the shooter was found dead at the scene, according to CBC.
According to a statement released on Feb. 11 by the Tumbler Ridge Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the RCMP received a call at 1:20 PM GMT about an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Local police arrived at the scene within two minutes of the call and were met with active gunfire.
Within minutes of entering the school, officers found the individual believed to be the shooter deceased from a self-inflicted injury. The suspect was identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a Tumbler Ridge resident who dropped out of school four years ago and had a history of mental-health interactions with the police.
The RCMP also found one teacher and five students dead at the scene. The victims included 39-year-old education assistant Shannda Aviugana-Durand, 12-year-old Kylie May Smith, 12-year-old Ticaria Lampert, 12-year-old Zoey Benoit, 12-year-old Abel Mwansa, and 12-year-old Ezekiel Schofield. According to CityNews Vancouver, police have said the killings were random, with victims found in a stairwell and the library.
Two others, 39-year-old Jennifer Jacobs and 11-year-old Emmett Jacobs, identified as the mother and half-brother of Van Rootselaar, were later found dead in the shooter’s home. The RCMP say Van Rootselaar killed her mother and half-brother in their family home before opening fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
“We are devastated by the loss of life and the profound impact this tragedy has had on families, students, staff, and our entire district and region. Our community has been shaken by this tragedy,” said Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka in a statement on Feb. 11, as per CNN. Krakowka also thanked the “brave teachers, administrators, students, and first responders.”
According to CTV News, the town hosted a candlelight vigil on Feb. 11. Residents placed teddy bears, flowers, candles, framed photos, and other mementos at the base of a tree outside of the local community centre, on a hill overlooking the school. Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka spoke at the gathering, calling the community “one big family,” and encouraging residents to reach out and support each other, as per CTV News.
Furthermore, members of parliament in Ottawa held a moment of silence for victims of the Tumbler Ridge shooting on Feb. 11. Flags at federal buildings were also flown at half-mast for seven days.
Then, the BC government declared Feb. 12 a provincial day of mourning to honour the victims of the Tumble Ridge shooting. The legislative assembly stood for a moment of silence at 12:00 PM PT in honour of the Tumbler Ridge victims, families, and community.
On Feb. 13, another vigil was held in front of the Tumbler Ridge town hall, where hundreds of residents gathered to honour the lives lost and support each other. This vigil was also attended by several Canadian political leaders — including Prime Minister Mark Carney, Opposition Leader Pierre Pollievre, and BC Premier David Eby — who spoke about the resilience and grace of the community, according to CBC.