VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Eight people were killed and more than 25 injured in a school shooting in the remote mountain town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, raising urgent questions about Canada’s strict gun laws. The country bans assault-style firearms, enforces a national freeze on the sale, purchase, and transfer of handguns, and requires lifetime background checks for gun owners. Programs for surrendering firearms and “Red Flag” laws further aim to prevent individuals who pose a danger from accessing guns.
The 18-year-old suspect, Jesse Van Rootselaar, was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted wound following the attack. Authorities said she first killed her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at home before going to the nearby school and opening fire. A young family member escaped and alerted neighbors, who contacted police.
At the school, victims included a 39-year-old teacher and five students, ages 12 to 13. One was found in a stairwell and the rest in the library. Police said the suspect had no known connection to the school victims, and there is no indication anyone was specifically targeted.
Police recovered a long gun and a modified handgun at the scene. Officers arrived within two minutes of the initial call and were reportedly fired upon as they approached. Initial reports of nine fatalities were later corrected to eight after a victim airlifted to a medical center was mistakenly thought to have died.
Tumbler Ridge, a town of approximately 2,700 residents, is located more than 1,000 kilometers northeast of Vancouver near the Alberta border. The local secondary school enrolls roughly 175 students in grades 7 through 12. Both the secondary and elementary schools will remain closed for the rest of the week.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed condolences and ordered flags at government buildings flown at half-staff for seven days. “Parents, grandparents, sisters, and brothers in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love. The nation mourns with you, and Canada stands by you,” he said.
Mayor Darryl Krakowka described the tragedy as “devastating” for the close-knit community. The shooting is Canada’s deadliest since the 2020 Nova Scotia rampage, underscoring the challenges of preventing gun violence even under stringent firearm regulations. Authorities continue to investigate the suspect’s motive.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
