Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Canada is reeling after one of the deadliest school shootings in its modern history left 10 people dead, including the suspect, in the rural community of Tumbler Ridge.
Authorities have identified the shooter as 18-year-old transgender former student Jesse Van Rootselaar, according to reporting from the New York Post.
The Timeline
The attack began Tuesday afternoon at a residence before moving to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, a grades 7–12 school with roughly 160 students.
Police say the suspect killed his mother, 39-year-old Jennifer Strang. And his 11-year-old stepbrother at the home. He then went to the school, where six additional victims were killed.
The suspect later died from what authorities described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed the suspect was “born a biological male.” And he began transitioning approximately six years ago, identifying as female.
When asked whether there was any correlation between the suspect’s transgender identity and the attack, McDonald responded that it was “too early to say.”
What We Know
- Six victims were located inside the school.
- Two victims were found at the residence.
- One 39-year-old female teacher was killed.
- Three 12-year-old female students were killed.
- Two male students, ages 12 and 13, were killed.
- Approximately 25 others were injured, several seriously.
Most of the victims inside the school were found in the library.
Two firearms were recovered at the scene: a long gun and a modified handgun. Authorities revealed firearms had been seized from the home two years ago due to mental health concerns, but later returned to a lawful owner after petition.
BREAKING: Canadian police reveal they are respecting the gunman's preferred gender pronouns. He transitioned at 12. pic.twitter.com/F7sdRDX1qS
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 11, 2026
Police had reportedly visited the residence multiple times over the years and had previously taken the suspect into custody under Canada’s Mental Health Act for assessment.
Access and Security Questions
Van Rootselaar dropped out of the school roughly four years ago. How he gained access to the building during school hours remains under investigation.
Students and staff barricaded inside classrooms for more than two hours before roughly 100 individuals were safely evacuated.
A Broader Pattern?
Another Deranged, Troubled Trans Teen, Biological Male, His name, Jesse Van Rootselaar. pic.twitter.com/0Djl59F8iz
— 🇺🇸 Stu ✝️ 🇮🇱 (@Ecclesiastes_38) February 11, 2026
The New York Post noted this shooting follows several high-profile mass attacks in North America in recent years involving perpetrators who identified as transgender, including:
- Audrey Hale (2023 Nashville Covenant School shooting)
- Alec McKinney (2019 Colorado charter school shooting)
- Snochia Moseley (2018 Maryland workplace shooting)
- Robin Westman (2025 Minneapolis school shooting)
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the nation as flags were lowered to half-mast in Ottawa.
Only two attacks in Canadian history have resulted in more deaths: the 2020 Nova Scotia rampage that killed 22 and the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre that claimed 14 lives.
The trans agenda IS an effort to entrap children into a miserable life of despair to help normalize the mental illness of a very small number of adults. pic.twitter.com/eowe0dx3tl
— @amuse (@amuse) April 20, 2024
Canada has long positioned itself as insulated from the level of school violence seen in the United States. Tuesday’s massacre challenges that assumption. And, raises difficult questions about mental health intervention, the growing trans agenda, and school security in even the most remote communities.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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