Nation in Shock After Tumbler Ridge School Shooting Leaves 8 Dead, Including 6 Children, as Authorities Confirm All Victims Have Now Been Fully Identified in a Tragedy That Has Devastated Families Across Canada

 

Background: A Close-Knit Community Shattered

Tumbler Ridge is a town of fewer than 3,000 residents nestled in the Canadian Rockies. The community is known for its small-town spirit, mining heritage, outdoor recreation, and tightly woven social fabric. To many Canadians, it was a place where a tragedy of this scale seemed unthinkable — which partly explains the national shock and grief that followed.

The Shooting and Immediate Police Response

Shortly after 1:20 p.m. local time, police received reports of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Officers were on scene within minutes and found multiple victims inside the school.

At the same time, law enforcement also discovered two additional victims at a residence believed to be linked to the shooter.

Ultimately, authorities confirmed that eight people were killed — including six children and one adult educator — and at least 25 others were injured. Earlier confusion about the total number of fatalities included the suspect, who was later confirmed to have died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the attack.

Identifying the Victims

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) later released the names of the people who were killed:

• Zoey Benoit, age 12

• Ticaria Lampert, age 12

• Kylie Smith, age 12

• Abel Mwansa Jr., age 12

• Ezekiel Schofield, age 13

• Shannda Aviugana-Durand, age 39 (education assistant at the school)

• Two additional victims — the 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother of the shooter — were found dead at a home.

Family members described the children as vibrant students with bright futures. For example, Abel was remembered by his father as a promising young boy who aspired to be a scientist or leader, and Ezekiel was celebrated as a dedicated hockey player.

The Shooter: Who Was Jesse Van Rootselaar?

Police identified the shooter as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a resident of Tumbler Ridge. They reported that Jesse had killed her mother and stepbrother at home before driving to the school and opening fire in the library and other parts of the building. She then died by suicide as officers approached.

Law enforcement also stated that Jesse had a history of mental health issues, with multiple interactions with police in the past related to those concerns. Weapons had at times been seized from a family residence, although details about how she accessed firearms on the day of the shooting are still under investigation.

Many news reports noted that Jesse was a transgender woman who had transitioned from male to female in the years before the attack. However, authorities have not publicly established whether gender identity played any role in the motive behind the violence.

National and Community Response

The massacre sent shockwaves across Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney traveled to Tumbler Ridge to join vigils and express national mourning. Leaders from across the political spectrum offered condolences and emphasized unity in grief.

Local officials, including Tumbler Ridge’s mayor, called for long-term support for the families affected and highlighted the importance of community solidarity in healing. Residents donated meals, turned public spaces into areas for reflection and counselling, and held memorials to honour the lives lost.

Reflection on Rarity and Prevention

School shootings are far less common in Canada than in some other countries, largely because of stricter firearms legislation. Nevertheless, the severity of this incident has renewed national conversations about mental health resources, especially in remote and underserved areas, as well as how firearms are accessed and stored.

Local leaders have openly discussed gaps in mental health care in places like Tumbler Ridge, noting a shortage of services and the need for ongoing support beyond immediate crisis response.

Remembering the Victims

Vigils in Tumbler Ridge and across Canada celebrated the lives of the children and the educator who were killed. Loved ones shared stories of kindness, ambition, and community involvement, trying to preserve the memory of each life rather than letting statistics define their legacy.

Broader Impact and the Path Forward

The shooting has reignited national debate over topics like:

• Mental health care accessibility, especially in rural and remote regions

• Firearms regulation and enforcement, even under Canada’s stringent laws

• School safety protocols and crisis response planning

As families continue to grieve and the Tumbler Ridge community begins a long recovery process, officials and citizens alike reflect on how to honor the victims through positive changes aimed at preventing future tragedies.

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