A haunting image has emerged that casts an even darker shadow over one of Canada’s most devastating mass shootings: an 18-year-old grinning widely while cradling a rifle, captured in what appears to be a casual family snapshot from years earlier. The photo, believed to have been shared by relatives on social media around the suspect’s 14th birthday, shows Jesse Van Rootselaar beaming at the camera, the long gun held casually across their lap as a young child sits nearby on the couch. The eerie contrast between the cheerful expression and the deadly weapon now symbolizes the incomprehensible horror that unfolded in the remote mountain town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, on February 10, 2026.

The rampage began at a family home where Van Rootselaar fatally shot their 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother before heading to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. There, in a matter of minutes, the attacker unleashed terror on students and staff, killing five children aged 12-13 (three girls and two boys) and a 39-year-old female teacher. At least 25 others were wounded, some critically, in what police describe as a rapid, chaotic assault. Van Rootselaar was found dead inside the school from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, ending the bloodshed but leaving a community shattered and a nation in mourning.

The resurfaced photo has ignited widespread revulsion and speculation. Circulated by outlets like the New York Post and news.com.au, it depicts a seemingly carefree teen proudly displaying the firearm – a chilling precursor to the long gun and modified handgun recovered at the scene. Authorities confirmed Van Rootselaar, born biologically male but identifying as female for approximately six years, had a prior valid firearms license that had lapsed. Police had visited the home multiple times for mental health concerns, including one incident where firearms were temporarily seized and later returned after the owner petitioned.

Witness accounts paint a picture of sheer pandemonium. Survivors described gunfire erupting without warning – rapid bursts echoing through hallways and the library, where many victims fell. One student recounted the terror: “Everything happened so fast, I hadn’t even figured out what was going on when I heard the crowd screaming and saw people falling down, along with multiple gunshots in quick succession.” Another spoke of barricading doors with tables while hiding for over two hours, the sounds of chaos seeping through walls. First responders arrived within minutes of the initial 1:20 p.m. call, exchanging fire before entering to find bodies strewn across the building.

The tiny town of Tumbler Ridge – population around 2,000, a former coal-mining hub turned quiet residential enclave – has been plunged into profound grief. British Columbia declared February 12 a provincial day of mourning, with flags at half-mast and vigils planned province-wide. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it a “dark day” for Canada, pledging federal support for victims’ families and mental health resources. The attack ranks among the country’s deadliest school shootings since the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, which claimed 14 lives.

Investigators emphasize Van Rootselaar acted alone, with no evidence of accomplices. Motive remains unclear and under intense scrutiny – mental health history, family dynamics, and possible online activity are all being examined. The suspect had dropped out of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School about four years prior, adding a layer of personal connection to the targeted location. Firearms were legally accessible in the home at times, though strict Canadian gun laws make such incidents rare.

Community response has been swift and supportive. Counselors flooded the school and town hall to aid traumatized students, parents, and residents. Online fundraisers exploded for victim families, medical costs, and long-term psychological care. “This is a small place where everyone knows everyone,” one local resident said. “These kids were our future. Now we’re burying them.” The loss of young lives – bright students on the cusp of adolescence – has struck particularly hard.

As the nation grapples with the tragedy, the grinning rifle photo serves as a stark, unsettling reminder: evil can hide behind a smile. It fuels questions about warning signs, mental health intervention, and gun access in homes with troubled individuals. Police continue forensic analysis of seized devices and the crime scenes, promising transparency while urging patience amid grief.

Tumbler Ridge weeps for its lost children and teacher. Canada mourns with them. The image of that teenage grin lingers – a haunting echo of innocence twisted into unimaginable violence. Healing will take years. Answers may take longer. But the memory of those taken too soon endures, a call for prevention in the face of preventable horror.