Tragic Mass Shooting in Tumbler Ridge: Mental Health Issues of Suspect Revealed

Sat Feb 14 2026 00:34:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a shocking incident, a teenage suspect with a troubled mental health history has been identified in a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, resulting in the deaths of eight people, including six children.

Authorities have reported that the 18-year-old suspect, who succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the attack, had previously been in the care of police due to mental health issues. While the investigation continues into the motivation behind the shooting, which resulted in the deaths of five students and a teacher at the school, as well as two family members at a nearby residence, British Columbia has declared a day of mourning for the victims. Community members are coming together to grieve and support one another following this tragedy.

The teenage suspect in a mass shooting in rural British Columbia had been the subject of a number of police visits in recent years because of mental health issues, authorities say.

Police say the 18-year-old - who was found dead on the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound - killed eight people, including six children, in Tuesday's attack in Tumbler Ridge.

Jesse Van Rootselaar had previously been apprehended and assessed under the Mental Health Act, and used to have a firearms licence.

It is unclear who owned the guns used in the attack, or what was the motive. Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he will visit the mountain town in the coming days.

British Columbia, in western Canada, proclaimed Thursday a day of mourning across the province.

Five students aged 12 to 13 and a 39-year-old teacher were killed and at least 25 others were injured at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

Two others - the suspect's mother, also 39, and 11-year-old step-brother - were found dead at a nearby home, where the attack began.

In Tumbler Ridge, flags remained at half-mast on Thursday, and a memorial to the victims was growing as mourners stopped by to drop off teddy bears and flowers and pause for a moment of silence. Residents could be found hugging and comforting one another as they come to terms with what took place.