Canadian police have identified the perpetrator of Tuesday's devastating school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a transgender woman who killed eight people before taking her own life in what authorities are calling one of Canada's worst mass shooting incidents.
The RCMP revised the official death toll Wednesday to nine total fatalities, including Van Rootselaar, down from the 10 initially reported. Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald confirmed during a press briefing that one victim previously thought dead was actually still alive and hospitalized in grave condition.
The shooting began Tuesday afternoon when Van Rootselaar first killed her mother and brother at their home near Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, before entering the school grounds around 1:20 PM local time and opening fire on students and staff.
The Victims and Survivors
Among the confirmed victims are a 39-year-old teacher and five students aged 12 to 13. The youngest victim identified is 12-year-old Kylie May Smith, whose aunt described her as a "beautiful, kind, innocent soul." Another 12-year-old victim was remembered by his father Abel Mwansa, who said his son "loved being at school" and had cried when homeschooling was once suggested.
Maya Gebala, also 12, remains in critical condition at Vancouver Children's Hospital after suffering severe shrapnel wounds to her head and neck. She was among 25 people injured in the attack, with several others sustaining life-threatening injuries.
"We are completely devastated and have no words as we try to process the magnitude of the situation,"
— Kylie May Smith's family statement
Profile of the Shooter
Van Rootselaar was born male and began transitioning to female approximately six years ago, according to RCMP Deputy Commissioner McDonald. Police confirmed she had a documented history of mental health issues, with officers having previously responded to mental health-related calls at her residence.
Bulgarian media reports suggest the shooter had been experiencing psychological problems, though authorities emphasized they have found no evidence of bullying or harassment related to her gender transition at the school. Police have not yet determined a motive for the attack.
When emergency responders arrived at the scene, Van Rootselaar opened fire on police before ultimately taking her own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Attack Timeline
The massacre began at Van Rootselaar's family home, located near the secondary school, where she killed her 45-year-old mother and teenage brother. She then moved to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which serves approximately 175 students in grades 7 through 12.
RCMP officers arrived at the school within two minutes of the first emergency calls, according to British Columbia Premier David Eby. The rapid response likely prevented additional casualties, as the school's lockdown protocols were activated successfully.
The remote location of Tumbler Ridge, situated in the Rocky Mountain foothills about 1,000 kilometers northeast of Vancouver near the Alberta border, initially complicated the emergency response. The small mining community of approximately 2,400 residents rarely experiences violent crime of this magnitude.
National Response and Impact
Prime Minister Mark Carney canceled his planned attendance at the Munich Security Conference to address the national tragedy, calling it "an act of unheard-of cruelty" and describing it as a "very difficult day for the nation."
Premier Eby characterized the incident as an "unimaginable tragedy," while international leaders including King Charles III extended condolences to the affected families and community.
This shooting represents the second major mass casualty incident in British Columbia within less than a year. In April 2025, a separate attack in Vancouver resulted in 11 deaths, highlighting concerns about rising violence in Canada despite the country's strict gun control laws.
Community in Mourning
Tumbler Ridge, a peaceful mining town that developed around coal extraction in the 1980s, has been left reeling from the unprecedented violence. The community, known for its outdoor recreation opportunities and close-knit population, had never experienced anything approaching this scale of tragedy.
Provincial trauma counselors have been deployed to provide mental health support for students, staff, and families affected by the shooting. The school district has established crisis support centers and is working with local religious leaders and community organizations to coordinate ongoing assistance.
A shelter-in-place order issued during the active shooting was lifted once police confirmed the scene was secure, but the psychological wounds in the community will require extensive time and resources to heal.
Rare Phenomenon in Canadian Context
Mass shootings involving transgender perpetrators remain extremely rare statistically. According to U.S. organizations that track such incidents, transgender individuals account for less than one-tenth of one percent of mass shootings, despite representing a larger proportion of the population.
The Tumbler Ridge attack stands out not only for this demographic aspect but also for its occurrence in Canada, where mass shooting events are significantly less frequent than in the United States due to stricter firearms regulations.
Canadian authorities continue their forensic investigation into how Van Rootselaar obtained the weapons used in the attack and whether any warning signs were missed that might have prevented the tragedy.
Investigation Continues
The RCMP's forensic specialists are continuing their detailed examination of both crime scenes, working to piece together the exact sequence of events and Van Rootselaar's motivations. Police have confirmed they are not seeking additional suspects and believe she acted alone.
The investigation will likely examine Van Rootselaar's mental health history, social media presence, and any potential grievances she may have harbored against specific individuals or the school community in general.
As Canada grapples with this latest tragedy, questions about mental health support systems, early intervention protocols, and community-based prevention strategies are likely to feature prominently in the national conversation about preventing similar incidents in the future.