Update: RCMP publicly confirm victims of Tumbler Ridge shooting
By BC RCMP
The BC RCMP is releasing the official confirmation of the deceased victims of the February 10, 2026 Tumbler Ridge shooting.
As the community continues to process this profound loss, it remains essential that the focus stays on the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy.
Victims from Tumbler Ridge Secondary School
- Abel Mwansa: 12-years-old
- Ezekiel Schofield: 13-years-old
- Kylie Smith: 12-years-old
- Zoey Benoit: 12-years-old
- Ticaria Lampert: 12-years-old
- Shannda Aviugana-Durand: 39-years-old
Victims from residence on Fellers Avenue
- Emmett Jacobs: 11-years-old
- Jennifer Jacobs: 39-years-old
“The BC RCMP offers sincere condolences to the families who have lost loved ones, and to the entire Tumbler Ridge community that is grieving alongside them. This is a time of deep sorrow, and many are still processing the weight of this tragedy. We will continue to support the families, respect their wishes, and walk with the community as it begins the long journey toward healing,” says Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, BC RCMP Commanding Officer.
The families and loved ones of those who died are requesting privacy and time to grieve. We ask that the public and media respect their space as they navigate this devastating tragedy.
Previous coverage:
BC RCMP is providing an update following the tragic events in Tumbler Ridge yesterday.
On February 10, at approximately 1:20 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (2:20 p.m. Mountain Standard Time), Tumbler Ridge RCMP received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. A Police Initiated Public Alert (PIPA) was issued as officers responded.
Police from Tumbler Ridge RCMP and surrounding detachments immediately attended, with members from the local detachment arriving within two minutes of the initial call. Upon arrival, there was active gunfire, and as officers approached the school, rounds were fired in their direction.
Officers entered the school to locate the threat. Within minutes an individual, confirmed to be the shooter, was located deceased with what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury. The suspect has been identified as 18-year-old, Jesse Van Rootselaar, who is a resident of Tumbler Ridge.
Two firearms, a long gun and a modified handgun, were recovered by responding officers. Determining the origin of these firearms and what role they played in the shootings remains part of the active investigation.
Multiple victims were located throughout the school, along with approximately 25 individuals with possible injuries. Once it was determined to be safe, officers evacuated over 100 students and faculty to a local community centre while police continued to assess whether any ongoing threats remained. Those with potential injuries were transported to the local medical clinic for triage and assessment, and two victims with significant injuries were transported to hospital via air ambulance. Following medical assessment of individuals taken to the local medical clinic, no discernible physical injuries were identified.
Police would like to correct information shared yesterday and clarify that nine people, including the shooter are deceased as a result of this incident. Initially, it was believed that a female victim with significant injuries, who was transported from the scene by police and transitioned to paramedics, had succumbed to her injuries. Police have since confirmed she is one of the two female victims airlifted to hospital. Both victims, a 12-year-old and 19-year-old female, remain in serious condition.
The deceased victims from the school include a 39-year-old female educator, three 12-year-old female students, and two male students, ages 12 and 13. Two additional victims, a 39-year-old female and 11-year-old male, were located deceased in a local residence.
BC RCMP Major Crime has assumed conduct of the investigation and is working to determine the full circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. There has been speculation within the community regarding the relationship between the shooter and some of the victims. All of that remains part of the active investigation, and we are not in a position to publicly confirm any specifics at this time.
Additional resources have been deployed to Tumbler Ridge to support both the investigation and day-to-day policing operations are continuing with the assistance of neighbouring detachments.
BC Emergency Health Services, the Tumbler Ridge Fire Department, the local medical centre, the school district, the community centre, and many others within the community have provided significant support throughout this response.
Anyone in the community who does need support is asked to go to the Tumbler Ridge Community Centre at 340 Front Street.
I believe everyone can appreciate that the families are navigating profound loss and trauma. All efforts are focused on determining the appropriate next steps, including decisions around if, when, and how names or photos may be released. The families are fully engaged in these discussions, and we are working with them to provide an update as soon as possible.
“We understand the community has questions and wants to understand the motive behind this tragic incident. We do believe the suspect acted alone and there are currently no other outstanding suspects. Our investigators remain on scene, actively gathering information to determine the full circumstances of what transpired,” says Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, BC RCMP Commanding Officer
This is a deeply distressing incident, where people have senselessly lost their lives. Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, first responders, the greater Tumbler Ridge community, and all those impacted by this tragic incident.
Previous coverage:
On Feb. 10, at approximately 1:20 p.m., Tumbler Ridge RCMP received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. A Police Initiated Public Alert (PIPA) was issued as officers responded to the scene. The alert was officially cancelled at 5:45 p.m. as police do not believe there are any outstanding suspects or ongoing threat to the public.
As part of the initial response to the active shooting, police entered the school to locate the threat. During the search, officers located multiple victims. An individual believed to be the shooter was also found deceased with what appears to be a self‑inflicted injury.
Six additional individuals, not including the suspect, have been located deceased inside the school. Two victims have been airlifted to hospital with serious or life‑threatening injuries. A third victim died while being transported to hospital. Approximately 25 others are being assessed and triaged at the local medical centre for non‑life‑threatening injuries.
All remaining students and staff were safely evacuated. Police are working closely with the school district to support a coordinated reunification process for families.
As part of the ongoing investigation, police have identified a secondary location believed to be connected to the incident, where two additional victims were located deceased in a residence. Officers are conducting further searches of additional homes and properties to determine whether anyone else may be injured or otherwise linked to today’s events.
Additional RCMP resources continue to be deployed into the community to support the response and investigation. These include but are not limited to Frontline officers, the Emergency Response Team, BC RCMP Major Crime, and Victim Services.
BC RCMP Major Crime has assumed conduct of the investigation and is working to determine the full circumstances surrounding this incident.
“This was a rapidly evolving and dynamic situation, and the swift cooperation from the school, first responders, and the community played a critical role in our response,” says Superintendent Ken Floyd, North District Commander. “Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and all those impacted by this tragic incident. This has been an incredibly difficult and emotional day for our community, and we are grateful for the cooperation shown as officers continue their work to advance the investigation.”
Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.
Previous coverage:
RCMP issued this press release at 3:16 p.m.
The Tumbler Ridge RCMP has issued a localized police emergency alert due to an active shooter incident.
As of 1:20 p.m. the Tumbler Ridge RCMP are currently on scene of a confirmed active shooter incident at the Tumber Ridge Secondary School. Those in the Tumbler Ridge area are asked to stay inside (shelter in place), lock your doors and refrain from leaving your home or business at this time. All others need to avoid the area and follow police directions and restrictions.
The original suspect is believed to have been located deceased. Work continues to determine whether a second suspect was involved and the total number of victims involved.
DO NOT APPROACH. CALL 911
Additional police resources are being deployed to the area from neighbouring detachments, along with the North District Emergency Response Team.
We have no confirmation at this time on the number of individuals injured or requiring assistance.
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