🇨🇦 A small Canadian community is reeling after an 18-year-old suspect opened fire at a school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, killing eight before dying by suicide. The tragedy – one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings – has sparked nationwide grief and renewed debates about mental health support.
Police confirmed Jesse Van Rootselaar, who identified as female, first killed her mother and stepbrother at home before targeting her former school. 🚨 Officers responded within minutes but faced active gunfire during the attack, which left three students and a teacher dead. Two victims remain hospitalized, including a 12-year-old girl fighting for her life.
🔍 Authorities revealed Van Rootselaar had previous mental health interventions under British Columbia’s Mental Health Act. While her firearms license expired in 2024, the weapons used highlight ongoing concerns about access. Prime Minister Mark Carney postponed international travel, declaring: "We will learn from this" as flags flew at half-mast nationwide.
💔 The tight-knit community of 2,400 has become Canada’s collective heartbreak. Mayor Darryl Krakowka urged unity: "Lend your ear… your shoulder… give somebody a hug." The tragedy comes six years after Nova Scotia’s 2020 mass shooting, reviving painful memories for a country where such violence remains rare compared to the U.S.
🌐 Global leaders including King Charles III sent condolences, while survivors’ families shared emotional tributes online. As night fell over Tumbler Ridge, residents lit candles for the victims – their quiet defiance shining through the darkness.
