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Mass Shooting

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Tumbler Ridge victims identified by RCMP

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The small mining community of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., is mourning after a mass shooting that left eight people dead, along with the shooter, and injured dozens more.

A vigil is planned for Feb. 13, with Prime Minister Mark Carney expected to attend as residents gather to remember those who were killed.

Carney has also extended invitations to leaders of all opposition parties, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre expected to be among those in attendance.

Abel Mwansa, 12; Emmett Jacobs, 11; Ezekiel Schofield, 13; Jennifer Jacobs, 39; Kylie Smith, 12; and Zoey Benoit, 12, are shown in this handout image. The six are among those killed in the Feb. 10, 2026 mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. Photo: RCMP.

Authorities have identified the eight victims:

  • Kylie May Smith, 12
  • Ticaria Lampert, 12
  • Zoey Benoit, 12
  • Abel Mwansa Jr., 12
  • Ezekiel Schofield, 13
  • Shannda Aviugana-Durand, 39, an educational assistant at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School
  • Jennifer Jacobs, 39, the shooter’s mother, found at a nearby residence
  • Emmett Jacobs, 11, the shooter’s stepbrother, also found at the residence

Residents, officials and support workers remain focused on helping the community process the tragedy and begin the long recovery ahead.

Community fundraising effort

A GoFundMe organized by parents from the Tumbler Ridge Parent Advisory Committee, working alongside local organizations, has been launched to support families directly affected by the tragedy.

Organizers say the funds will help cover unexpected expenses, daily living needs, funeral costs, mental-health supports and relocation costs as families begin recovery.

As of the latest update, the campaign has raised more than $400,000 toward a $550,000 goal, reflecting widespread support from both the local community and donors beyond the region.

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UPDATE: 9 dead including suspect in B.C. school shooting

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Eight people were killed in one of the deadliest school shootings in Canadian history.

That includes three girls and two boys between the ages of 13 and 17 and one female teacher at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in B.C.

RCMP Deputy commissioner Dwayne McDonald identified the shooter as 18-year-old woman Jesse Van Rootselaar of Tumbler Ridge.

“Two firearms, a long gun and modified handgun were recovered by responding officers. Determining the origin of these firearms and what role they played in the shootings remain a significant part of the ongoing and active investigation,” said the deputy commissioner.

The shooter also killed her mother and step-brother at a separate residence.

RCMP responded to the school within two minutes, and were met with gunfire from inside the school.

The suspect is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Over 100 students and faculty were evacuated to a nearby recreation centre once RCMP determined it was safe.

Twenty-five people were injured, two were airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The initial death toll was 10, RCMP believed one of those airlifted had died, but she is in serious condition.

“This is a deeply distressing incident, where nine individuals have essentially lost their lives. Our thoughts are with the first responders, the families and everyone in the greater Tumbler Ridge community.”

Deputy commissioner McDonald says it’s believed the suspect acted alone.

Condolences from world leaders, Parliament Hill

Prime Minister Mark Carney and other party leaders spoke in the House of Commons about the tragedy, and offered their condolences.

“Parents, grandparents, sisters and brothers woke up today in Tumbler Ridge without someone they love,” said Carney.

“The nation mourns with you, Canada stands by you.”

The PM ordered all flags at government buildings will be flown at half-mast for the next seven days.

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RCMP: Excess Of 19 Deaths, 16 Crime Scenes From Nova Scotia Mass Shooting

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RCMP have confirmed an excess of 19 deaths in relation to a mass shooting that shook Nova Scotia over the weekend.

At a press conference, Nova Scotia RCMP Chief Supt. Chris Leather said some of the victims, who were all adults, were known to the suspect and specifically targeted, while others were not known to him.

The 19 deaths include RCMP officer Const. Heidi Stevenson, Lisa McCully, a Debert Elementary Teacher, and VON nurses Heather O’Brien and Kristen Beaton.

“To the families and loved ones of all the victims, please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your loved ones,” said Leather.

Another RCMP member, Chad Morrison, an 11-year veteran of the force, was injured during the rampage and is now recovering from gunshot wounds at home.

Leather noted police are still in the early stages of what he calls a complex investigation, and said many things are still unknown.

“We are working hard to find out as much information as possible in the days and weeks to come,” said Leather, “We will be in this for months to come, I am sure.”

He said members are working on 16 different crime scenes in Portapique and other communities in Central and Northern Nova Scotia, has teams searching for more potential victims and conducting interviews in those areas.

“We’re relatively confident we’ve identified all of the crime scenes,” said Leather.

“However we have been unable to examine all those crime scenes because, for instance, we’ve had five structure fires, most of those being residents, and we believe there may be victims still within the remains of those homes which burnt to the ground.”

He said that part of the investigation is still ongoing and expects the total of victims to rise in the coming days.

Two additional reports have been made to the Serious Incident Response Team in relation to the investigation, but Leather could not provide any details on what the reports were about or why they were referred to SIRT.

When asked how the RCMP found out about the shooter’s ‘mock’ police cruiser, Leather said the car had been reported to them early Sunday morning, but had also been discovered engulfed in flames along with another cruiser at the crime scene where Const. Stevenson had been found.

He said the car aided the shooter in remaining undetected.

“His ability to move about the province undetected was surely, greatly benefited by the fact that he had a vehicle that looked identical in every way to a marked police car,” said Leather.

“Beyond that, he was wearing a police uniform which as I said was either a very good fabrication of, or was actually a police uniform which truly contributed to his ability to circulate.”

He also noted they were not sure of the origin of the police uniform.

When asked how many others had been injured during the rampage, Leather said they are still trying to determine that, but would be releasing a timeline with specific locations and information on victims “in coming days.”