Jesse Van Rootselaar Kills aSix Students Teacher and Family Members in Tumbler Ridge British Columbia School Shooting Leaving Community in Shock

The small mountain community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, is in shock after an 18-year-old, Jesse Van Rootselaar, carried out a devastating school shooting that killed six students, a teacher, and two family members before taking their own life.

In the days following the tragedy, the RCMP’s careful use of pronouns to describe the shooter has drawn intense debate online, overshadowing the grief of the community.

Who Was the Shooter

Jesse Van Rootselaar, who began identifying as female at age 12, was described by RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald as someone who “chose to be identified in public and social media.”

Officers even used the term “gunperson” to avoid gendered language.

Social media users reacted angrily, arguing that the focus on pronouns detracted from the victims and the horror of the event.

Van Rootselaar had a history of mental health concerns and previous police contact.

Authorities had responded to multiple calls to the home over the years and had even seized firearms under the Criminal Code.

Later, the lawful owner petitioned to have the weapons returned.

At the time of the shooting, Van Rootselaar’s mother did not have a valid firearms license.

Timeline of the Attack

The massacre began at the family home, where Van Rootselaar killed their mother, Jennifer, and 11-year-old brother, Emmett.

A young family member escaped to a neighbour, alerting authorities.

The shooter then traveled to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which has 175 students, opening fire in the library and other areas.

Students described hiding under tables and barricading doors as police worked to secure the building.

Darian Quist, a senior at the school, recalled waiting in fear for more than two hours while hearing emergency alerts and lockdown alarms blaring. “It was very nervous.

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Once people sent me some photos, it definitely set in what was actually happening,” he said.

The Victims

Six students and a teacher were killed in the school, while the suspect’s mother and younger brother were killed at home.

More than 25 people were injured, including 12-year-old Maya Gebala, who was shot in the neck and head and is not expected to survive.

Her mother, Cia Edmonds, spoke of her heartbreak and the desperate hope for a miracle: “I can feel her in my heart… Our baby needs a miracle.”

Community Response

Tumbler Ridge, a town of just 2,700 residents, is grappling with profound grief.

Neighbours and parents describe the community as “shattered,” with nearly everyone knowing someone affected by the shooting.

Schools will remain closed for the week while students and staff receive support and counseling.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia Premier David Eby expressed national grief, emphasizing the need to support the victims’ families and the Tumbler Ridge community.

Flags at government buildings will fly at half-mast for seven days in tribute.

The Pronoun Controversy

RCMP’s insistence on using Van Rootselaar’s preferred pronouns has sparked criticism online.

Commenters argued that law enforcement’s focus on gender identity overshadowed the victims’ suffering.

This controversy highlights ongoing societal debates about language, identity, and accountability, particularly in the aftermath of tragedy.

What’s Next?

Investigators continue to piece together the motive behind the shooting and review Van Rootselaar’s prior interactions with law enforcement.

Authorities are also assessing mental health and firearm regulations to understand if interventions could have prevented the tragedy.

Meanwhile, the community of Tumbler Ridge is working to heal.

Counseling services are being provided to survivors, families, and first responders.

Schools will remain closed as officials organize support programs and memorial services.

Discussions around gun control, mental health interventions, and public safety are expected to intensify in Canada following the massacre.

Summary

An 18-year-old, Jesse Van Rootselaar, carried out a deadly school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, killing six students, a teacher, and two family members before taking their own life.

The RCMP’s careful use of pronouns to describe the shooter has sparked public backlash.

The town is in mourning, with over 25 injured and schools closed for the week.

Authorities are investigating the motive, the suspect’s prior mental health history, and the role of firearms in the tragedy while providing support to the community.