A Community Shattered: Tumbler Ridge Grieves After Mass Shooting

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. – February 11, 2026 – A profound silence has fallen over the close-knit community of Tumbler Ridge, a town nestled in the foothills of the B.C. Rockies, now at the center of a national tragedy. The small district municipality, home to just over 2,300 people, is grappling with the aftermath of one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent Canadian history, an event that has left nine people dead, including the perpetrator, and a community irrevocably scarred.

On the afternoon of February 10, a day that will now be etched in sorrow, violence erupted first at a private residence and then with terrifying force at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) received the first report of an active shooter at the school at 1:20 p.m. MST. Officers arrived within two minutes, a swift response that authorities believe likely prevented further loss of life. An emergency alert blared across the region at 2:15 p.m., urging terrified residents to shelter in place as the crisis unfolded.

The final toll is staggering for a town of this size. The perpetrator, identified by authorities as 18-year-old former student Jesse Van Rootselaar, first killed their 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old step-brother at their home. The violence then moved to the secondary school, where five students, aged just 12 and 13, and a 39-year-old female teacher were fatally shot. Van Rootselaar died at the school from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In addition to the fatalities, 27 others were injured, with two victims airlifted for care with life-threatening injuries.

A Town Built on Resilience Faces Its Darkest Hour

Tumbler Ridge was born from the resource-rich earth around it. Founded in 1981 as a planned “instant town” to service the region's burgeoning coal industry, its fortunes have long been tied to the boom-and-bust cycles of mining. The community has weathered mine closures, economic downturns, and, as recently as 2023, a complete evacuation due to encroaching wildfires. This history has forged a reputation for resilience and a powerful sense of community where, as Mayor Darryl Krakowka has noted, everyone feels like family.

That deep interconnectedness now amplifies the pain. The victims were not anonymous figures; they were neighbours, friends, and the children of the town's workforce. The school, a central hub of community life, has become a scene of unimaginable trauma. Authorities have noted that the perpetrator had a documented history of mental health issues, with police having been involved on multiple occasions under the province's Mental Health Act. This detail adds a complex and heart-wrenching layer to the community's search for answers.

A Wave of Solidarity from Labour and Government

As the community reeled, messages of support and pledges of aid began to pour in from across the province and the nation. The United Steelworkers (USW), a union with deep roots in Tumbler Ridge's mining sector, was among the first to voice its support. The union represents hundreds of workers in the area, including those at major employers like Conuma Coal, through its USW Local 1-424.

In a statement, USW Director for Western Canada, Scott Lunny, expressed the union's profound shock and sorrow. “Our hearts and solidarity go out to the staff, students and families of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and all those affected by this tragedy,” Lunny stated. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Tumbler Ridge community, our members and those who work in the area. We stand in solidarity with everyone who is grieving during this unimaginably difficult time.”

The statement highlights a role for unions that extends far beyond the workplace, positioning them as pillars of community support in times of crisis. For a town where union membership is woven into the social fabric, this message of solidarity is not just symbolic but deeply personal. Other labour organizations, including the BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) and the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), echoed these sentiments, offering resources and support to their own members shaken by the tragedy.

The Long Road to Healing

The response from all levels of government has been swift and unified. Prime Minister Mark Carney cancelled an international trip, calling the attack a “horrific act of violence” and ordering flags on federal buildings to be flown at half-mast. B.C. Premier David Eby, who traveled to the grieving town, became emotional while speaking to reporters, calling the event an “unimaginable tragedy” and promising the full weight of provincial support for “the days and weeks and months ahead.”

That support is already materializing. Trauma-informed counselors and mental health professionals are being mobilized to the region. School District 59 has established a support center for students, staff, and families at the Tumbler Ridge Community Centre. Crisis lines and mental health resources are being widely shared as the community begins to process the immense psychological toll. The public has responded with an outpouring of generosity, with online fundraisers quickly raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the victims' families.

For Tumbler Ridge, the path forward is uncertain. The immediate shock will eventually give way to a long and arduous process of grieving and healing. But in the face of unimaginable darkness, the town is not alone. Wrapped in the support of a province, a nation, and the community organizations that form its bedrock, this resilient northern town must now draw on its collective strength to navigate the long road ahead.