In a heartbreaking revelation that has plunged an already grieving nation deeper into shock, the family of 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar – the perpetrator of Tuesday’s horrific mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia – has confirmed the discovery of a suicide letter left behind by the teen. The handwritten document, found at the family home where Van Rootselaar first killed their 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother before heading to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, reportedly lays out raw, disturbing reasons for the rampage that claimed eight lives and injured more than two dozen others.

The letter’s existence came to light as relatives, speaking through a family spokesperson and in limited statements to media, described finding the note amid the chaos following the February 10, 2026, tragedy. While full contents have not been publicly released – pending ongoing RCMP investigation – sources close to the family indicate it details deep-seated personal torment, feelings of isolation, resentment toward perceived societal rejection, and a twisted desire to inflict pain mirroring what they felt internally. The document reportedly expresses regret mixed with defiance, blaming mental health struggles, past bullying, and online radicalization influences for spiraling into violence. It does not name specific targets at the school, aligning with police statements that the attack appeared random rather than premeditated against individuals.

This bombshell disclosure contrasts sharply with earlier police briefings, where RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald stated investigators had not located any note or manifesto to explain motives. The family’s revelation suggests the letter may have been overlooked initially or discovered later during deeper searches of the residence – a home that had seen multiple police visits over recent years for mental health crises involving the suspect. Authorities had previously seized firearms from the property temporarily before returning them, adding layers of anguish for those questioning missed opportunities for intervention.

The shooting itself unfolded with terrifying speed in the remote mountain community of Tumbler Ridge (population ~2,400), a former coal-mining town turned quiet haven. Around 1:20 p.m., Van Rootselaar – who had dropped out of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School about four years earlier – entered the building armed with a long gun and modified handgun. In minutes, five students (three girls and two boys aged 12-13) and a 39-year-old female teacher lay dead in hallways and the library. Survivors recounted chaos: rapid gunfire bursts, classmates falling amid screams, desperate barricades with desks and chairs. One eyewitness captured the horror: “Everything happened so fast… crowd screaming, people falling, multiple gunshots in quick succession.”

Officers arrived swiftly – within two minutes of the first call – exchanging fire before discovering Van Rootselaar dead from a self-inflicted gunshot. The attack began at the family home, where the suspect killed their mother (who had publicly advocated against transphobia on social media) and young stepbrother, suggesting domestic rage preceded the school assault. Twenty-seven others were wounded, some critically, including a 12-year-old girl fighting for life in hospital.

Van Rootselaar, born biologically male but identifying as female for about six years, had a documented history of mental health interactions with law enforcement. Preliminary findings from groups like the Anti-Defamation League point to online patterns: engagement with white supremacist content, glorification of past mass killers (including Buffalo and Christchurch perpetrators), and self-described addiction to gore videos across platforms like X, Reddit, and niche sites. The suspect’s profile reportedly featured imagery blending extremist symbols with transgender pride elements, highlighting a complex, contradictory digital footprint.

The suicide letter, per family accounts, delves into these struggles: profound loneliness, perceived bullying over gender identity, exposure to violent online ideologies that fueled fantasies of retribution, and a sense of hopelessness that escalated into lethal action. Relatives described the note as “heart-wrenching” and “confusing,” expressing sorrow for victims while justifying the violence as a final, desperate act against a world they felt had abandoned them. One family member reportedly told reporters the contents were “too painful to share fully right now,” but confirmed it provided “some insight” into the suspect’s mindset, though it offered no comfort to grieving families.

Canada reels from the tragedy – one of the deadliest school shootings in its history, rivaling the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre. Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed Parliament, calling it a “dark day” and promising support. British Columbia declared February 12 a provincial day of mourning, with flags at half-mast and vigils nationwide. Community leaders in Tumbler Ridge – where “everyone knows everyone” – mobilized counselors, fundraisers, and healing circles for traumatized students and parents burying children.

The letter intensifies national soul-searching: How did mental health red flags go unaddressed? What role did online radicalization play? Could stricter monitoring of troubled youth with firearm access have prevented this? Police continue forensic analysis of devices, the crime scenes, and now the letter itself, vowing a thorough probe while urging patience amid grief.

For the families of the victims – bright young students dreaming of futures, a dedicated teacher shielding her charges – the note brings no closure, only more questions and pain. Eight lives stolen in moments of madness. A community forever scarred. And a suicide letter that, in its raw honesty, exposes the depths of despair that can lead to unimaginable horror.

As Tumbler Ridge mourns, Canada grapples with the why – and prays such darkness never visits again.