The small town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, was plunged into heartbreak on February 10, as an 18-year-old woman, Jesse Van Rootselaar, carried out a horrific shooting spree that left nine people dead, including herself, and critically injured two others. This tragic incident marks one of the bloodiest mass shootings in Canadian history, shaking the community of 2,400 residents to its core.
A Grieving Community
The violence erupted in a modest two-storey home on Fellers Avenue, where the Van Rootselaar family had lived since spring 2023. Reports indicate that police had been called to the residence multiple times prior to the shooting, and Jesse had undergone psychiatric assessments under the Mental Health Act. Disturbingly, firearms previously seized from the home were returned to the lawful owner just weeks before the tragedy, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the events.
On that fateful day, Jesse allegedly began her attack inside the family home, fatally shooting her mother, 39-year-old Jennifer Jacobs, and her half-brother, 11-year-old Emmett Jacobs. The violent spree then shifted towards Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where Jesse had dropped out four years prior.
Chaos at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School
Witnesses report that Jesse arrived at the school around 2 p.m., armed with both a long gun and a modified handgun. Students had recently returned from their lunch break, with many having purchased meals from a local shop. Just moments after Jesse entered the school, the first indications of danger emerged. A student alerted teacher Jarbas Noronha to what sounded like gunfire, and shortly thereafter, the school was placed on lockdown.
Mr. Noronha took immediate action, barricading the classroom door with metal benches and devising an escape plan for his students. Inside the school, fear gripped the hearts of students hiding in various places. Thirteen-year-old Mya LaRocque, along with her classmates, found refuge in a closet, hearing the terrifying sounds of gunfire echoing through the corridors.
As police received urgent reports of an active shooter at 2:20 p.m., Rev. Gerald Krauss of the New Life Assembly church learned of the situation via a notification on his phone. Initially in disbelief, he quickly understood the gravity of the unfolding crisis as sirens surged through the town.
The Aftermath of the Shooting
Law enforcement arrived at the school within minutes, but Jesse, cornered and overwhelmed, tragically ended her own life shortly thereafter. Inside, the bodies of five victims were discovered, including students Abel Mwansa Jr., Kylie Smith, Zoey Benoit, Ezekiel Schofield, Ticaria Lampert, and educational assistant Shannda Aviugana-Durand, all aged between 12 and 13.
In the midst of the chaos, twelve-year-olds Maya Gebala and Paige Hoekstra sustained serious injuries and were airlifted to a Vancouver hospital for emergency care. The aftermath of the attack left families in turmoil as they awaited news about their loved ones, some receiving devastating information that forever altered their lives.
In the hours following the shooting, many parents gathered at a local community centre, anxiously awaiting updates on their children’s wellbeing. The heart-wrenching struggle continued as families sought comfort in the wake of unimaginable loss.
Community Resilience and Healing
As Tumbler Ridge grapples with this unprecedented tragedy, community members are coming together to mourn and support one another. Flowers and memorials have begun to spring up across the town, signifying a collective grieving process that transcends individual loss.
One parent, Lori Hayer, expressed relief when she found her son but was left waiting for news about her daughter, Zoey Benoit. “We didn’t know if she was hurt or where she was,” she later shared on social media.
In the days that followed, Rev. Krauss and his wife remained available to comfort families, illustrating the resilience and compassion that exemplify the community’s spirit in the face of such a dark chapter.
Why it Matters
The Tumbler Ridge shooting serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of safety in our communities. With the increasing frequency of gun violence in Canada, this tragedy raises urgent questions about mental health support, gun control, and the need for comprehensive measures to protect our youth. As Tumbler Ridge mourns its lost innocence, the nation must reflect on how to prevent such devastating events from recurring, ensuring that every community can thrive without fear.
