Tumbler Ridge Shooting: Eight Victims and Gunwoman Dead in One of Canada’s Deadliest School Attacks

On 10/02/2026, a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, left eight victims and the perpetrator dead, with 27 others injured, marking one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history and the second-deadliest school shooting in the country. The violence began at a private residence and continued at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, prompting a rapid response from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and emergency services. According to investigators, the attacker first carried out a domestic shooting at a home on Fellers Avenue. At that location, her mother, Jennifer Strang (39), and her 11-year-old half-brother, Emmett Jacobs, were fatally shot. Authorities later confirmed that the suspect then traveled to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. At approximately 2:20 p.m. MST, the shooter entered the school and opened fire in a stairwell and later inside the school library. Witnesses reported panic as students and staff sought shelter in classrooms and offices. RCMP officers arrived at the school within approximately two minutes of receiving the emergency call. Police stated that officers were immediately met with gunfire upon arrival. According to official briefings, officers drew the shooter’s attention away from students while moving through the building. The suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound as police closed in. In total, nine people died, including the perpetrator. Among the victims at the school was Shannda Aviugana-Durand (39), an education assistant. Five students were also killed: Abel Mwansa (12), Ezekiel Schofield (13), Kylie Smith (12), Zoey Benoit (12), and Ticaria Lampert (12). In addition to the fatalities, 27 people were treated for injuries. Two students, identified publicly as Maya and Paige, remained hospitalized in serious condition in the days following the attack. The RCMP identified the shooter as Jesse Van Rootselaar, also known as Jesse Strang, an 18-year-old former student who had dropped out of the school approximately four years earlier. Investigators stated that she had a documented history of severe mental health issues. Authorities confirmed that firearms had previously been seized from her residence in 2025; however, after a legal appeal, the weapons were returned to the lawful owner, her mother. During a press conference, police described the suspect’s actions as “hunting,” indicating that she was not targeting specific individuals but was prepared to engage anyone encountered inside the school. The investigation involved forensic analysis, review of digital evidence, and interviews with witnesses. Officials stated there was no evidence of additional suspects. Police also confirmed that the firearms used in the attack were legally owned. A national vigil was held on 13/02/2026 in Tumbler Ridge to honor the victims. The event was attended by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Governor General Mary Simon, and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre. Community members, families, and officials gathered to observe moments of silence and pay tribute to those who lost their lives. In the aftermath of the shooting, School District 59 announced that students would not be required to return to the site of the attack. Officials indicated that the building would likely remain closed permanently as a secondary campus, with alternative arrangements being made for displaced students. Crisis counseling and trauma support services were deployed across the district to assist students, staff, and families. Tumbler Ridge, a small northeastern British Columbia community, faced widespread disruption in the days following 10/02/2026. Flags at public buildings were lowered, and memorials were established outside the school and throughout the town as investigations continued and the community began the process of mourning.