In the remote mountain town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, a quiet community of just over 2,000 residents was shattered on February 11, 2026, when 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar carried out one of the most devastating attacks in Canadian history. What began as a family tragedy quickly escalated into a nightmare at the local secondary school, leaving eight people dead—including five students and one educator—and several others injured.

Police identified Jesse Van Rootselaar as the sole perpetrator. Authorities confirmed she first fatally shot her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at their family home using an unregistered shotgun. Minutes later, armed with additional firearms, she walked to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School—her former school from which she had dropped out four years earlier—and opened fire indiscriminately in the library and other areas before turning the gun on herself.

The death toll makes this Canada’s deadliest school-related massacre since the 1989 École Polytechnique tragedy and one of the worst mass shootings in recent decades. As investigators sift through the aftermath, disturbing details about the shooter’s life have surfaced, fueling widespread shock and speculation.

Jesse, who was born biologically male but began transitioning to female approximately six years ago, identified publicly as a woman. Recent images circulating online—some described as post-transition selfies showing makeup attempts, long hair, and feminine presentation—have drawn intense attention. These photos, reportedly from archived social media posts, capture moments of personal exploration during her transition, including early experiments with cosmetics before any hormone therapy.

But the revelations don’t stop there. Neighbors and those familiar with the household have shared startling accounts of Jesse’s troubled past. One neighbor reportedly disclosed that years earlier, Jesse allegedly attempted to harm family members by setting the house on fire—an incident that required emergency response but was not fatal. The mother had previously expressed deep concerns about her child’s behavior, describing sadistic tendencies toward siblings even as a young child, alongside intense empathy in other situations. These glimpses paint a picture of long-standing emotional turmoil.

Online activity further illuminates a chaotic inner world. Posts from years past reveal struggles with mental health crises, substance use, suicidal thoughts, and an obsession with firearms, hunting, and violent content. Jesse reportedly engaged in forums sharing graphic material and even created disturbing simulations involving violence. Police noted multiple prior welfare checks at the home due to self-harm risks, and her gun license had lapsed despite earlier possession.

In this isolated corner of the Rockies, the tragedy has sparked candlelit vigils and profound grief. The father has spoken publicly of carrying immense sorrow. Authorities emphasize that no specific individuals were targeted at the school, and the motive remains under investigation amid questions about access to weapons and untreated mental health issues.

As more details emerge—including those eerie post-transition images and the neighbor’s bombshell claim of a near-fatal arson attempt—the case continues to horrify Canada and prompt urgent conversations about youth mental health, firearm access, and early intervention. For now, Tumbler Ridge mourns, searching for answers in the wake of unimaginable loss.