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Tragedy strikes remote British Columbia community
A mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, has left nine people dead, including six children, marking one of Canada's deadliest such incidents. The attack has devastated the tight-knit town of 2,400 residents, where violence of this scale was previously unthinkable.
The victims
Among those killed were 12-year-old Zoey Benoit, described by loved ones as resilient, and Kylie Smith, another 12-year-old who dreamed of attending art school. Police confirmed the identities of all victims on Thursday, deepening the community's grief.
A memorial outside the local school has grown as residents leave flowers, stuffed animals, and handwritten notes in honor of those lost.
The attack
Police say the suspect, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, began the rampage by killing their mother and step-brother at a family home. Van Rootselaar then drove to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where the shooting unfolded around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Inside the school, students and teachers barricaded themselves in classrooms. Darian Quist, 17, recounted hiding with 15 others in a mechanics class for over two hours before police escorted them to safety. "We didn't know why we were hiding at first," Quist said. "Then we got the alert-there was an active shooter."
Van Rootselaar was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. Police confirmed the suspect had begun transitioning six years ago and held an expired gun license.
Community in shock
Tracy Krauss, a local pastor, said the town's sense of safety now feels "painfully naïve." "A newcomer locks their door, and everyone laughs-why would you do that here?" she told the BBC. "Now, no one is laughing."
"Everybody knows somebody. Even those who haven't lost a loved one are still affected."
Tracy Krauss, local pastor
Parents gathered at a nearby community center, anxiously awaiting news of their children. Krauss described supporting a friend who later learned their child was among the victims. "To lose a child is the worst thing in the world," she said, her voice breaking.
National response and unanswered questions
Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit Tumbler Ridge on Friday, as support pours in from across Canada. However, many questions remain about the motive behind the attack.
Police revealed they had responded to multiple mental health calls involving Van Rootselaar in the past and had previously seized firearms from the suspect's home, though the guns were later returned after a successful petition. Authorities did not disclose who owned the previously confiscated weapons or how Van Rootselaar obtained the firearms used in the shooting.
Bob Zimmer, the area's Conservative MP, acknowledged the need for discussions on mental health support but emphasized the community's immediate focus on mourning. "We're here to give hugs and tell them they're appreciated," he said. "But serious questions need answers."
A town defined by beauty, now by grief
Tumbler Ridge, nestled in the Rocky Mountains, is known for its mining industry and UNESCO-recognized geopark. Zimmer hopes the town will eventually be remembered for its natural beauty rather than this week's tragedy. "For now, there's a dark cloud," he said. "It's going to take time to mourn."
