The crisp mountain air of Tumbler Ridge carried the weight of unimaginable grief on February 11, 2026, as parents began to publicly identify their children among the victims of the previous day’s horrific mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. In a remote British Columbia town where families once gathered for community barbecues and dinosaur fossil hunts, the echoes of gunfire had shattered the peace, claiming nine lives and leaving dozens wounded. Among the heartbreaking revelations came the stories of 12-year-old Abel Mwansa, a bright-eyed boy remembered for his infectious smile and love of learning, who was senselessly killed in his classroom. And then there was Maya Edmonds, another 12-year-old, clinging to life in a Vancouver hospital after being shot in the head and neck while heroically trying to protect her classmates. These young lives, now forever altered or ended, have become symbols of a community’s profound loss and the nation’s urgent reckoning with gun violence.

The tragedy unfolded with chilling precision on the afternoon of February 10, in a place least expected: Tumbler Ridge, a tight-knit community of just 2,400 nestled in the Rocky Mountains’ foothills. Founded in the 1980s as a coal-mining hub, the town has pivoted to tourism, drawing visitors to its UNESCO-designated Global Geopark with promises of adventure and serenity. But that day, serenity was shattered when 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a former student who had dropped out four years earlier, embarked on a rampage that began at her family home. Armed with a legally purchased handgun, she first fatally shot her mother and 11-year-old stepbrother in a quiet residence on the town’s outskirts. Minutes later, she drove to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, a modest building serving grades 8 through 12 and sharing space with Northern Lights College.

Dressed in a flowing dress with her brown hair visible, Van Rootselaar entered the school’s library around 1:20 p.m., where a Grade 8 class was underway. Witnesses described a scene of pandemonium as she opened fire without warning. Students scrambled for cover behind bookshelves and under tables, their screams piercing the air. In those frantic moments, young Maya Edmonds displayed extraordinary bravery. According to survivor accounts shared with local media, the 12-year-old rushed to the heavy wooden library door, attempting to lock it and block the shooter’s path. Her actions bought precious seconds for her classmates to hide, potentially saving lives. But it came at a devastating cost: Van Rootselaar shot Maya twice—once above her left eye, causing a severe brain bleed, and once in the neck, where the bullet remains lodged.

The shooter continued her assault, killing five students and their 39-year-old teacher on the spot. The victims included three female students and two male students, all between the ages of 12 and 13. Another victim died en route to the hospital, pushing the school’s death toll to six. In total, nine people perished, including Van Rootselaar, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound as Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers arrived. Approximately 25 others were injured, some critically, with wounds ranging from physical trauma to the psychological scars that will linger for years.

As emergency responders navigated the winding mountain roads, airlifting the most severely wounded like Maya to specialized hospitals, the town was placed under a shelter-in-place order until 5:45 p.m. Parents flooded social media with desperate pleas: “Has anyone seen my child?” one post read. The RCMP’s North District Commander, Ken Floyd, addressed the media that evening, confirming the grim tally and linking the school attack to the earlier home shootings. “We are still searching additional homes and properties to ensure there are no other injured individuals or connections to this incident,” Floyd stated, his voice steady amid the chaos.

In the agonizing hours that followed, families began to grapple with the unthinkable. Abel Mwansa, a father whose public Facebook post has since garnered over 1,400 comments of condolence and support, shared the devastating news of his son’s death. “Our son went to school this morning and it happened that someone came to school with a GUN went to my kids classroom shot some kids and my son was killed too just like that,” he wrote, the raw pain evident in his words. Abel Jr., just 12 years old, was described by his father as a child raised to “respect elders, answer to one call, be strong, work hard, put a smile on the face like I do, focus on his studies, never miss school and to be a good kid.” Mwansa recounted a recent moment when his son cried at the suggestion of homeschooling, underscoring how much Abel loved being in class with his friends. “This is a child that I have raised… He left home this morning to be shot like a stray dog murdered in cold blood,” the father lamented, expressing gratitude for the 12 years and 11 months he had with his boy. The post, accompanied by photos of Abel Jr.’s beaming face, has become a poignant tribute, drawing messages from strangers across Canada and beyond.

Equally heart-wrenching is the story of Maya Edmonds, whose mother, Cia Edmonds, rushed to Vancouver’s BC Children’s Hospital to be by her daughter’s side. In a series of emotional Facebook updates, Cia described the surreal shift from a normal morning to a nightmare. “Today started as any other,” she wrote. “Now, however, my 12-year-old daughter is fighting for her life while they try to repair the damage from a gunshot wound to the head. And one to the neck. She was a lucky one, I suppose. Condolences to the other families during this tragedy. This doesn’t even feel real.” A later post pleaded for prayers: “Our baby needs a miracle. She is fighting for her life while they try to repair the damage.” Maya’s aunt, Krysta Hunt, spoke to Global News, revealing more about the girl’s heroism. “She is only 12 years old and fresh into high school. This shouldn’t be happening,” Hunt said, adding that Maya had tried to lock the library door to protect her classmates.

Medical updates on Maya have been guarded but grim. Doctors performed emergency surgery on February 11 to address the brain bleed from the head wound, removing bone fragments and stabilizing her condition. The bullet in her neck, perilously close to her spine, remains in place due to the risks of removal. Hospital spokespeople have described her injuries as “catastrophic but not immediately fatal,” with infection and swelling posing the greatest threats. “We are taking it hour by hour,” a representative stated on February 12. “Maya is stable for now, but her condition is critical.” A GoFundMe page set up by the family has raised over $150,000 in just two days, with donations pouring in to cover medical expenses, travel for relatives, and long-term rehabilitation if Maya pulls through. Cia’s updates continue to pour out gratitude amid the despair: “She’s a fighter. Please keep praying.”

The RCMP has been methodical in its investigation, withholding the names of juvenile victims unless families consent. Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald confirmed on February 11 that the deceased from the school included an adult female educator and five youth: three females and two males aged 13 to 17. The shooter’s identity, Jesse Van Rootselaar, was released, along with details of her troubled history. She had no criminal record but prior mental health contacts with authorities. Investigators are scouring her online activity, family dynamics, and any lingering grudges from her school days. The handgun was legally obtained, a fact that has fueled immediate calls for tighter restrictions. Canada’s gun laws, strengthened after past tragedies like the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, ban assault weapons and require background checks, yet advocates argue more is needed, especially in rural areas where isolation can exacerbate mental health issues.

Tumbler Ridge’s response has been one of collective mourning and resilience. Vigils sprang up overnight on February 11, with residents gathering in the town square, candles illuminating faces etched with sorrow. Flowers, teddy bears, and notes piled up outside the school, one reading: “For Abel and Maya—your bravery inspires us all.” Schools in the Peace River North District closed for the week, with counseling services mobilized. Premier David Eby addressed the province: “Our hearts are in Tumbler Ridge tonight with the families of those who have lost loved ones.” He pledged support, including financial aid and mental health resources. Local legislator Larry Neufeld echoed the sentiment: “This is a small, close-knit town, and the impact is felt by everyone.”

Broader implications ripple across Canada. This marks the second mass homicide in British Columbia in under a year, following the April 2025 Vancouver SUV attack that killed 11. Nationally, mass shootings are rare compared to the U.S., but incidents like the 2020 Nova Scotia spree (22 dead) expose vulnerabilities. Mental health experts stress the need for better rural support, where wait times for services can stretch months. Opposition parties demand reviews of gun policies, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to speak, likely calling for unity and action.

For the families, the pain is immediate and personal. Abel Mwansa’s post has become a digital memorial, with comments offering prayers and shared stories of loss. Cia Edmonds clings to hope at Maya’s bedside, whispering encouragement. “She’s barely sleeping,” Hunt said. “She keeps telling Maya how proud she is.” The community rallies: local businesses shuttered in solidarity, neighbors deliver meals to grieving homes. In a town where everyone knows everyone, the loss feels profoundly communal.

As February 12 dawns, investigations continue, with RCMP combing Van Rootselaar’s digital footprint for clues. Why a former student targeted her old school remains elusive—perhaps bullying, family strife, or untreated illness. Survivors recount harrowing escapes: hiding under desks, texting loved ones farewell. One student told CBC: “I heard pops like fireworks, then screaming. Maya tried to lock the door—that’s when she got shot.”

Maya’s fight symbolizes hope amid despair. If she survives, recovery could mean years of therapy, potential cognitive challenges, or physical limitations. Yet her family’s resolve mirrors Tumbler Ridge’s spirit: battered but unbroken. The GoFundMe surges, messages flood in: “Hold on, Maya.” “Abel, rest in peace—you were loved.”

This tragedy etches itself into Canada’s history, a stark reminder that even in the remotest corners, violence can strike. But from the ashes rise stories of heroism like Maya’s, love like Abel’s father’s, and a community’s unyielding bond. As the Rockies stand sentinel, indifferent yet eternal, Tumbler Ridge begins its long heal—praying for miracles, honoring the lost.