Heartbreak in the North: A Canadian Town’s Nightmare as Eight Lives Are Shattered in School Shooting Rampage
Terror struck the serene, snow-dusted streets of Tumbler Ridge, a tight-knit mining town nestled in the rugged wilderness of British Columbia, on a chilling Tuesday morning that will forever scar the collective memory of Canada. What began as an ordinary school day for dozens of eager young students at the local secondary school erupted into unimaginable horror when an 18-year-old former student, armed with deadly intent, unleashed a barrage of gunfire that claimed eight innocent lives, including four children who had barely begun to dream of their futures. The tragedy unfolded with brutal swiftness, leaving families shattered, a community in mourning, and a nation grappling with the raw pain of yet another mass shooting in a country that prides itself on peace and safety.
The small town of Tumbler Ridge, population just over 2,000, is the kind of place where neighbors wave from porches, kids play freely in the crisp mountain air, and the rhythm of life revolves around family, work in the nearby coal mines, and the simple joys of rural living. Founded in the 1980s as a resource community, it’s surrounded by towering pines and vast expanses of untamed forest, a haven far removed from the urban chaos of Vancouver or Toronto. But on February 10, 2026, that idyllic facade crumbled under the weight of violence that no one saw coming. Police reports paint a harrowing picture: the shooter, identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, began her rampage not at the school, but in the quiet confines of her own home. There, she fatally shot her mother and her 11-year-old stepbrother, their bodies discovered later in a scene that investigators described as “devastatingly personal.”
From there, Van Rootselaar, who had attended the same secondary school years earlier, drove to the campus where memories of her youth might have twisted into something darker. Armed with a firearm—details of which authorities have yet to fully disclose—she stormed the building, targeting classrooms filled with wide-eyed preteens and dedicated educators. Gunshots echoed through the hallways, piercing the morning calm and sending students and staff scrambling for cover. Four children, all around the tender age of 12, were gunned down in cold blood, their lives extinguished before they could fully blossom into adolescence. A beloved teacher, whose name has not been released pending family notification, also fell victim to the onslaught, heroically attempting to shield her pupils in those final, frantic moments.
Among the young victims was Kylie Smith, a 12-year-old girl whose radiant spirit and boundless potential now serve as a poignant symbol of all that was lost. Kylie’s father, Lance Younge, spoke through tears in an emotional interview, recounting the mundane yet precious routine of that fateful morning. “She was just a beautiful soul,” he said, his voice cracking with grief. “She’s a light in our family. She loved art and anime. She wanted to go to school in Toronto, and we just loved her so much.” Kylie had been thriving in high school, her enthusiasm for learning infectious among her peers. That day, Lance had walked her and her brother Ethan to the school bus stop, exchanging hugs and casual goodbyes, never imagining it would be their last. Ethan, miraculously, survived the ordeal by hiding in a utility room, his quick thinking a small beacon of hope amid the darkness.
As the chaos unfolded, acts of heroism emerged from the terror. A woman named Maddie, described by Lance as a “hero,” rushed to Kylie’s side after she was struck, performing CPR in a desperate bid to save her. Despite her valiant efforts, Kylie succumbed to her injuries, and it was Maddie who broke the heart-wrenching news to the family. “These kids were lost before they got to become teenagers,” Lance lamented, urging the world to focus on the victims and their stories rather than the perpetrator. “So let’s put their pictures up and remember them, not this murderer.” Kylie’s love for anime had her sketching vibrant characters in her notebooks, dreaming of a future in creative arts far from the small-town confines. Her room, now a shrine of untouched drawings and schoolbooks, stands as a testament to the innocence stolen in an instant.
Another young life cut short was that of Abel Mwansa, a 12-year-old boy whose infectious smile and dedication to his studies endeared him to everyone he met. His father, also named Abel Mwansa, shared a gut-wrenching Facebook post that has since gone viral, capturing the essence of a boy who embodied resilience and joy. “I raised him to respect his elders, be strong, work hard, put a smile on his face like I do, focus on his studies, never miss school and to be a good kid,” the elder Mwansa wrote. He recalled a touching moment when he suggested homeschooling Abel during a challenging period, only for the boy to burst into tears. “He loved going to school so much,” his father explained, the memory now laced with unbearable sorrow. Abel’s death has left a void in his family, with his father declaring, “Seeing your child murdered at this age is heart breaking.” Abel was known in the community for his polite demeanor and eagerness to help others, often volunteering at local events or assisting neighbors with chores. His dreams, though unspoken in detail, revolved around education and making his family proud—a future now forever denied.
The other child victims, whose identities remain partially shielded to protect grieving families, were described collectively as bright sparks of potential, “lost before they got to become teenagers.” One was a budding athlete with aspirations of joining the local hockey team, another a voracious reader who devoured books on adventure and exploration. Their teacher, a veteran educator in her 50s, had dedicated over two decades to shaping young minds in Tumbler Ridge. Colleagues remember her as a pillar of patience and encouragement, often staying late to tutor struggling students or organizing field trips to nearby nature reserves. Her sacrifice in the line of duty underscores the profound risks faced by those who nurture the next generation.
At the residence where the rampage began, the bodies of Van Rootselaar’s mother and stepbrother were found in a state that left seasoned investigators shaken. The mother, a community fixture who worked at a local diner, was known for her warm greetings and homemade pies shared at town gatherings. Her 11-year-old son, full of energy and curiosity, had just started showing interest in outdoor activities like fishing in the nearby rivers. Their deaths, occurring before the school attack, suggest a deeply personal motive that authorities are still unraveling. Van Rootselaar, who was born male but began identifying as female six years ago, ultimately turned the weapon on herself, ending the spree in a final act of despair. Police have not yet disclosed a clear motive, but early investigations point to possible mental health struggles and familial tensions. In a nation where gun control is stricter than in its southern neighbor, questions swirl about how the firearm was obtained, fueling debates on access and prevention.
The immediate aftermath was a whirlwind of sirens, lockdowns, and frantic phone calls. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers swarmed the scene within minutes, securing the school and initiating a town-wide search before confirming the shooter’s death. “This is one of the country’s worst-ever mass shootings,” an RCMP spokesperson stated in a press conference, their voice heavy with the weight of the tragedy. Emergency services treated the wounded—several students sustained non-life-threatening injuries—and transported them to hospitals in nearby Dawson Creek. The school, now cordoned off with yellow tape fluttering in the winter wind, became a somber crime scene, its hallways echoing with the ghosts of laughter turned to screams.
As night fell on Tumbler Ridge, the community converged in a display of raw, unfiltered solidarity. Hundreds gathered in the main square, their breath visible in the frigid air, to hold a candlelight vigil that illuminated the darkness both literal and metaphorical. Flickering flames cast shadows on tear-streaked faces as mourners shared hugs, stories, and silent prayers. Mayor Darryl Krakowka, a lifelong resident with deep roots in the mining industry, addressed the crowd with a message of unity. “This is like one big family,” he said, his words resonating through the hushed assembly. “If you need a hug, put your hand out. Reach out to your neighbour.” The vigil became a cathartic outpouring, with residents placing flowers, stuffed animals, and handwritten notes at a makeshift memorial. One sign read simply: “Hold your kids tight,” a sentiment echoed by parents who clutched their children closer than ever.
Kevin Matthews, a 20-year veteran of Tumbler Ridge life, attended the vigil wrapped in a heavy coat against the biting cold. “Nearly everyone in town had some connection to a victim,” he told reporters, his eyes reflecting the glow of candles. “The path forward is to be with grieving families.” Indeed, in a place where anonymity is rare, the ripple effects are profound. Local businesses shuttered early, churches opened their doors for counseling sessions, and schools across the district closed in solidarity. Mental health resources, already stretched in remote areas like this, have been bolstered by provincial support, with therapists arriving from Vancouver to help process the trauma.
This tragedy thrusts Tumbler Ridge into an unwelcome spotlight, joining a grim list of Canadian communities scarred by gun violence. From the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, where 14 women were killed in an act of misogynistic rage, to the 2020 Nova Scotia rampage that claimed 22 lives, Canada has faced its share of horrors despite robust firearm regulations. Advocates for stricter controls argue that even in a country with mandatory background checks and bans on assault weapons, loopholes persist—particularly around inherited or illegally acquired guns. “We must do more to protect our children,” said a spokesperson for Moms Demand Action Canada, calling for enhanced mental health screenings and community intervention programs.
Yet, amid the anguish, stories of resilience emerge like fragile shoots through snow. Ethan’s survival, Maddie’s bravery, and the countless small acts of kindness during the vigil remind us of humanity’s capacity for light in the darkest times. Lance Younge, despite his overwhelming loss, found strength in honoring Kylie’s memory. “She was the last person who ever deserved this,” he said, advocating for a national conversation on school safety and youth mental health. Abel Mwansa’s father, channeling his grief into advocacy, plans to establish a scholarship in his son’s name, ensuring Abel’s love for education lives on.
As investigations continue, with forensic teams combing through evidence and interviews piling up, Tumbler Ridge clings to its identity as “one big family.” The wounds will take years to heal—physical scars for the survivors, emotional ones for all. But in the face of such senseless loss, the town’s spirit endures. Parents now walk their children to school with heightened vigilance, conversations turn to healing rather than blame, and the candles from that vigil burn on in hearts across Canada. This is not just a story of death; it’s a call to cherish life, to support one another, and to demand change so that no other community endures this nightmare. In the quiet aftermath, as snow blankets the town once more, the echoes of those lost voices urge us forward: remember them, honor them, and never let their lights fade.
