Details are emerging about a mass shooting in a northeastern B.C. community. Nine people are dead, including the suspect, and approximately 25 were injured. CTV News initially reported that the shooter was identified as Jesse Strang. The RCMP later confirmed that the 18-year-old female goes by the name Jesse Van Rootselaar.
In a media availability on Wednesday, RCMP said they “identified the suspect as they chose to be identified in public and social media,” explaining that “Jesse was born as a biological male.”
Here are key updates as they happen:
Most victims under 15
RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald says most of the Van Rootselaar’s victims were born in 2013 and 2012.
Due to their age, victims will only be identified with the consent of their families.
“We need to approach this with a trauma informed practice,” said McDonald.
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist.
Family member alerted neighbour to killings: police
A family member to the shooter told the neighbours about the initial killings, prompting a call to police.
“We were called because a neighbour – there was a young female at that home that went to the neighbour’s – and that’s how we learned there were two deceased at that residence,” RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said.
“The incident at the home occurred first, and from there our suspect attended the school and commenced their criminal activity there, and that’s how we learned there were two deceased at that residence,” McDonald added.
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist.
Unclear if shooter had a target
Police say it’s not clear whether the shooter had a target when she went to the school.
“We don’t have information at this point to suggest that anyone was specifically targeted,” says RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald. He says there remains more evidence to gather.
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist.
Shooter was not attending school
It’s too early to speculate on Van Rootselaar’s motive, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald says. The shooter had dropped out of school.
One victim was located deceased in the hallway of the school, while others were in the library, McDonald added.
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist.
Shooter had an expired gun licence
RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald says they’re not ready to release details on the long gun and modified handgun recovered at the scene of the shooting, adding the investigation will reveal whether the guns were purchased legally and by whom.
McDonald adds Van Rootselaar once possessed a firearm licence, which had expired, and that she did not have any guns registered to her.
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist.
Woman reported dead remains in care
Nine people in total are deceased, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald tells the media, correcting information that was shared widely yesterday.
One of the victims, a female with significant injuries, had been reported dead while she was being transported to receive medical care.
“She is alive,” McDonald said, adding she is one of two female victims who remain in serious condition.
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist.
Shooter’s mother, sibling among victims
Jennifer Strang, the shooter’s mother, and sibling, Emmett, are among the victims, CTV News has confirmed.
Lynn Chaya, CTVNews.ca journalist.
Tumbler Ridge shooter identified
Jesse Strang has been identified as the shooter in the Tumbler Ridge shooting, CTV News has confirmed. Strang goes by the name Jesse Van Rootselaar.
Lynn Chaya, CTVNews.ca journalist.
Shooter acted alone
“We do believe the suspect acted alone,” said RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, adding there are no other active suspects.
The RCMP is not publicly confirming the relationship between the shooter and the victims at this time, McDonald said.
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist
Patient at BC Children’s Hospital
BC Children’s Hospital executive vice-president Susan Wannamaker confirmed to CTV News that one patient in critical condition was transported from Tumbler Ridge yesterday following the shooting.
“The protection of patient privacy is paramount to us, and we do not routinely share information about our patients,” Wannamaker said in a statement. “However, there are exceptional times when we need to acknowledge those who are in our care.”
No additional updates will be provided, she said.
The hospital will also be providing youth mental health supports for the community, the statement adds.
Lynn Chaya, CTVNews.ca journalist.
An emotional Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks
Condolences are pouring across the country after ten people were killed and at least 25 more were injured after a mass shooting in B.C. Andrew Johnson reports.
“It’s obviously a very difficult day for the nation this morning. Parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love. The nation mourns with you, Canada stands by you,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday. “I want to thank and pass on a number of world leaders who reached out directly to me in solidarity and compassion. France, the United Kingdom, His Majesty himself, Norway, Finland, India, United Arab Emirates, many others. The world is with you. I have spoken to premier Eby. The minister of public safety has been engaged, as have many Canadian officials over the evening. The minister of public safety is en route to British Columbia. He and the premier will be visiting the community. All assistance, obviously, will be offered.
“We thank the first responders, the teachers, the staff, the residents, for everything that they’ve done in this terrible situation. I, on the advice of the Clerk of the Privy Council and Heritage Canada, I’ve asked that the flags on the Peace Tower here and across all government buildings be flown at half mast for the next seven days. We will get to get through this, we will learn from this, but right now it’s a time to come together as Canadians always do in these situations, these terrible situations, to support each other, to mourn together and to grow together.”
Rachel Aiello, CTV National News correspondent
Poilievre calls on Canadians to pray
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on Canadians to pray for those affected on Wednesday.
“Obviously we are all devastated by the news of this appalling shooting in Tumbler Ridge. The fact that this took place at a secondary school makes it even more tragic,” he said.
“As a father, I can’t even imagine the phone calls that parents might have received, I can’t imagine the heartache and hell that they’re living through at this moment. This is a time for all Canadians to unite to support the families and the community at large. We’ll be in touch with the prime minister and the other parties later today to offer all of our support, to work together and help the community in any way we can in this terrible time. I encourage all Canadians to pray for the community and pray for the family as we go forward and take the necessary steps to support them.”
Rachel Aiello, CTV National News correspondent
Flags at half-mast
Flags at federal buildings will fly at half-mast for the next seven days, a visibly emotional Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters on Parliament Hill.
“The world is with you,” he said to Tumbler Ridge community members.
He also said several world leaders have reached out to him to offer condolences, including those of Britain, France, India, Finland, Norway, Australia, and “his majesty himself.”
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist.
PM postpones plans
Carney has officially cancelled a planned trip to Germany where he was set to attend the Munich Security Conference.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Carney will be staying in Ottawa following the events in Tumbler Ridge.
The public safety minister, housing minister, B.C. premier, and two B.C. ministers, meanwhile, are travelling to Tumbler Ridge.
Three cabinet ministers are still set to travel to Germany for the conference, while the Liberals’ previously scheduled announcement of their defence industrial strategy has been postponed.
Spencer Van Dyk, Ottawa News Bureau producer
Canadian Olympic team ‘heartbroken’
Team Canada issued a statement at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Wednesday, saying their “thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones, those who are injured, and the entire Tumbler Ridge community.”
“Team Canada stands with everyone affected as they navigate difficult days ahead,” the statement added.
The Associated Press. Read the full story here.
La Loche, Sask., extends message of solidarity
Weeks after marking 10 years since its own deadly shooting, a high school in La Loche, Sask., is extending its support and solidarity with Tumbler Ridge.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims, families, community members, and school staff. We stand with them in solidarity,” a post on the Dene High School Facebook page said Wednesday morning.
La Loche held a day of remembrance last month, marking 10 years since a shooting left four people dead in the northern Saskatchewan community on Jan. 22, 2016.
“This kind of pain is devastating,” said Buckley Belanger, the Member of Parliament for Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River, which includes La Loche.
“Many in northern Saskatchewan understand, all too well, the deep and lasting impact a tragedy such as this can have.”
Cole Davenport, CTV News Regina assignment editor. Read the full story here
Police called to school
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police say they first received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at approximately 1:20 p.m. local time Tuesday.
“As part of the initial response to the active shooting, police entered the school to locate the threat,” the B.C. RCMP wrote in a statement Tuesday evening. “During the search, officers located multiple victims. An individual believed to be the shooter was also found deceased with what appears to be a self‑inflicted injury.”
Six other people were found dead inside the school, and one additional victim died while being taken to hospital. Two others were airlifted from the school with serious injuries, police said.
Two more victims were found dead inside a home police believe is connected to the incident. Police said officers were searching additional homes and properties to determine if anyone else may have been hurt.
Approximately 25 additional people were treated at a local clinic for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
“All remaining students and staff were safely evacuated. Police are working closely with the school district to support a co-ordinated reunification process for families,” the RCMP said.
Kaija Jussinoja, CTVNewsVancouver.ca journalist. Read the full story here
‘None of us have got the answers,’ Tumbler Ridge pastor says
A local pastor in Tumbler Ridge said he and other spiritual leaders in the community were offering support to families in the aftermath of the shooting.
“The idea was to be just available,” George Rowe, pastor at Tumbler Ridge Fellowship Baptist Church, told CTV’s Your Morning on Wednesday.
“I don’t have the answers; none of us have got the answers, but just to come alongside our people and let them know that they’re loved and we’re with them.”
Rowe said he and other pastors were “out and about” after a community-wide lockdown was lifted Tuesday. Many people had gathered at the local recreation centre, including some of the families of the victims, he said.
“I think the big thing that hit me was (people) not knowing, ‘Did my child survive this?’ That was just a heartbreaking situation,” said Rowe. “Outside of that, we as pastors, we just go in and be there.”
Rowe said the local pastors were planning to meet Wednesday and Thursday to help plan for the days and weeks ahead.
“We’ve got help coming in, we’ve got people calling from literally all over the country; they want to come in and offer counseling services, so we’re making our churches available where possible,” he said.
The feeling in the small community the day after the shooting was difficult to explain, Rowe added. “We’re so grateful that so many of our kids got out of there alive,” he said, “but yet so heartbroken that some of them didn’t make it.”
Jordan Fleguel, CTVNews.ca journalist
Condolences from U.S. ambassador
In a social media post Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra shared his condolences with those affected by the shooting.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the community of Tumbler Ridge and all of British Columbia today,” he wrote. “My personal prayer is that in these difficult times, they find the peace and comfort that only He can provide.”
Green Party leader: ‘Unspeakable’
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May spoke about the shooting Wednesday, saying “It’s incomprehensible, which means all we can say is that we send deepest condolences.”
The longtime B.C. MP, who represents the riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands, said, “I’m sure first responders are going to need a lot of support emotionally for what they have gone through being the first to show up to open the school doors. It’s unspeakable, it’s a terrible tragedy, and we mourn with those who’ve lost so much.”
Rachel Aiello, CTV National News correspondent
Interim NDP leader: ‘Cruel irony’
Interim NDP Leader Don Davies addressed the incident at a news conference ahead of Kindness Week, which runs Feb. 15 to 21.
“I also want to express my deepest condolences to the victims, the families, the friends in the community of Tumbler Ridge as they recover from the horrific attack that occurred last night in British Columbia,” said Davies, who has represented the Vancouver Kingsway constituency since 2008.
“It strikes me that as we gather here today to mark National Kindness Week, there’s a cruel irony to that, but also perhaps a profound symmetry, as we gather across party lines to focus on the opposite of what happened yesterday, which is the coming together in humanity and kindness.”
Rachel Aiello, CTV National News correspondent
Carney grieves
Prime Minister Mark Carney shared a response on social media, saying that he connected with B.C. Premier David Eby and is co-ordinating a federal response with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree.
“I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today, and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens,” Carney said.
“Our ability to come together in crisis is the best of our country — our empathy, our unity, and our compassion for each other.”
Soon after, the Prime Minister’s Office released a statement that Carney will postpone both a defence announcement in Halifax on Wednesday and his planned trip to Germany for the Munich Security Conference.
Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre said he was devastated to hear of “the many innocent people murdered and injured in a senseless act of violence.”
CTVNews.ca staff. Read the full story here
U.K.’s Starmer weighs in
“This morning, I conveyed the U.K.’s deepest condolences to Prime Minister Carney and the people of Canada for the devastating shooting in Tumbler Ridge,” said British Prime Minister Kier Starmer, delivering his opening remarks to that country’s House of Commons.
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist.
‘Wrap these families with love’
Hours after one of the worst mass shootings in Canadian history, B.C. Premier David Eby urged people across the province to throw their support behind those grieving in Tumbler Ridge.
“We can’t imagine what the community is going through, but I know it’s causing us all to hug our kids a little bit tighter,” Eby said at a news conference in downtown Vancouver.
“Wrap these families with love—not just tonight, but tomorrow and into the future. This is something that will reverberate for years to come.”
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca journalist. Read the full story here