Tumbler Ridge, B.C. school shooting leaves nine dead

If you’re teaching or learning today, here’s the clear picture. On Tuesday 10 February 2026, BC RCMP said nine people died, including the suspect, after a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, with roughly 25 others reporting possible injuries. We stay with verified facts and practical steps for classrooms and families. (rcmp.ca)

Investigators said the violence began at a nearby home, where the suspect’s 39‑year‑old mother and 11‑year‑old step‑brother were found dead. At the school, a 39‑year‑old educator and five pupils were killed-three girls aged 12 and two boys aged 12 and 13. Two female victims, aged 12 and 19, were airlifted and remain in serious condition, according to police. (vancouver.citynews.ca)

Police described arriving within two minutes of the first call at around 13:20 local time, entering under active gunfire, and finding the suspect dead from a self‑inflicted injury. Officers recovered a long gun and a modified handgun; their origin and exact role are still being determined. The police alert to shelter indoors was lifted at 17:45 once the scene was secure. (rcmp.ca)

BC RCMP named the suspect as 18‑year‑old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a former pupil. Senior officers said police had attended the family home on several occasions for mental‑health concerns, and confirmed she previously held a firearms licence that has expired; there were no firearms registered to her. Detectives believe she acted alone and the motive remains unknown. (nanaimonewsnow.com)

At Wednesday’s briefing, officers also noted the suspect identified as a woman and began transitioning about six years ago. We include this only because police raised it publicly. Investigators have not linked gender identity to the crime; avoid speculation and do not use this tragedy to target trans people. (nanaimonewsnow.com)

This is a town where most people know one another. Tumbler Ridge has 2,399 residents by the 2021 Census, and the secondary school teaches about 160 pupils in Years 7–12, according to School District 59. “I will know every victim… I don’t call them residents. I call them family,” mayor Darryl Krakowka told CBC. (en.wikipedia.org)

Public mourning has followed. Municipal and federal sites report flags flying at half‑mast until Tuesday 17 February 2026. Locally, School District 59 has closed both Tumbler Ridge schools for the rest of this week while support is organised with community services. (iqaluit.ca)

Media‑literacy check for you and your class: in fast‑moving crises, early numbers can shift. Police first feared ten people had died; on Wednesday 11 February they corrected the total to nine when a critically injured pupil was confirmed alive. Anchor conversations in official updates and be cautious with unverified posts. (rcmp.ca)

If you’re leading a discussion, keep it simple and humane. Offer the verified summary, allow feelings to be named, and remind pupils of your school’s safety steps without rehearsing distressing detail. In Tumbler Ridge, both schools went into lockdown and “hold and secure” until RCMP lifted the alert; your setting may use similar terms. (sd59.bc.ca)

When rumours appear in feeds, model a quick SIFT check: Stop before sharing, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, and Trace claims back to the original context. Doing this out loud shows pupils how to slow down and verify in the moment. (libguides.ucmerced.edu)

For context readers asked about: Canada tightened gun laws after the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks, banning over 2,500 assault‑style models and freezing handgun sales in 2022. A national buy‑back and deactivation amnesty runs to October 2026. In this case, RCMP are still tracing how the two weapons were obtained. (apnews.com)

We will continue to follow updates from BC RCMP and the school district. As timelines and identities are confirmed with families, share what you know, say what you don’t, and centre care-for classmates, for teachers, and for yourselves. (rcmp.ca)