Tumbler Ridge Reels from School Shooting Tragedy: Community in Shock
The small town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, is grappling with overwhelming grief and an unsettling silence following a devastating mass shooting that claimed at least nine lives on February 11, 2026. The tragedy has left residents in a state of raw disbelief as they confront the aftermath of violence in their close-knit community.
A Peaceful Town Shattered by Violence
Driving into Tumbler Ridge typically reveals a beautiful, serene landscape framed by snow-capped mountains and mining infrastructure. The town is usually quiet, with only a few vehicles moving through its streets. But that tranquility was violently disrupted when 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar allegedly killed two people in her Fellers Avenue home—her mother and stepbrother—before proceeding to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School where she shot numerous others.
"This is overwhelming. It's unbelievable," said one Tumbler Ridge resident, capturing the sentiment of many who have endured what they describe as "a raw 18 hours" since the shooting began.
Police Response and Community Impact
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police presence became immediately visible throughout the town, with SUVs, marked cruisers, and pickup trucks guarding both the school and the house at 112 Fellers Avenue. Police have confirmed six people were killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and two more were found dead at the shooter's home. Van Rootselaar died from a self-inflicted wound shortly after the school massacre.
Authorities confirmed that Van Rootselaar was a transgender female who had been transitioning for years, though they have not released information about a possible motive for the attacks.
Community Leaders and Residents React
Like the rest of the town, Tumbler Ridge's city hall fell eerily quiet in the aftermath. Mayor Darryl Krakowka was unavailable on Wednesday, with employees directing inquiries to email. Krakowka later issued a statement expressing profound grief and sadness while encouraging the community to pull together during this difficult time.
At a local diner, one employee described learning about the shooting when alerts hit their phones. "It was confusing, and I'm not sure what to think. More than anything it's just sad," she added, reflecting the confusion and sorrow spreading through the community.
Personal Connections Amplify the Tragedy
Another local resident noted that the shooter's mother was well-known in the community, making the shock of events even more difficult to process. As news of the shooting circulated through the small town, concerned family members began texting and calling loved ones to check on their safety.
The tragedy struck particularly close to home given Tumbler Ridge's intimate nature. "Everything is a stone's throw away in Tumbler Ridge," explained one resident. "It's a quiet town where everyone knows everyone, and its impact will last."
Additional Community Challenges
The shooting occurred just behind the Tumbler Ridge Community Health Centre, which recently learned it will be losing one of the local physicians, leaving the town with what residents describe as "1.5" doctors. The lack of after-hours medical service adds another layer of concern to an already devastating situation.
Adding to the tragic circumstances, the victims' home had caught fire in the past year. The blaze was believed to have started in a shed before reaching the house, and while the cause was never publicly released, it was considered suspicious at the time.
A Community in Mourning
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, barely half a day after the mass shooting, widescreen TVs in Van Rootselaar's neighbors' homes gave silent updates through front windows—a haunting reminder of the tragedy that has enveloped this small community.
Flowers now sit outside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, and a heart sign has been placed at the town hall as symbols of mourning and solidarity. The community faces a long road to healing as it processes a tragedy that has shattered its peaceful existence and left an indelible mark on all who call Tumbler Ridge home.
