Newly unsealed documents obtained by a collaborative effort led by CBC News shed light on the RCMP’s actions and inquiries following the tragic mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., in February 2026.
The unredacted files provide insights into the police response to the incident at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, outlining the sequence of events and law enforcement’s perspective. Although some details are still withheld, such as crucial timestamps, the documents reveal that on February 10, 2026, the RCMP swiftly reacted to reports of an active shooter at the high school.
Eighteen-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar was identified as the perpetrator, discovered deceased at the scene with self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Search warrants detailed the evidence collected by the police as they pieced together the events of that fateful day.
The tragic incident, considered one of Canada’s worst mass shootings, prompted a coroner’s inquest to investigate the impact of mental health, access to firearms, and artificial intelligence in the tragedy. The documents refer to Van Rootselaar by various names and shed light on the chaotic events as they unfolded.
Details surrounding firearms and electronic evidence found at Van Rootselaar’s residence are disclosed in the documents, with a focus on tracing firearms and investigating digital records. Concerns were raised about potential copycat incidents and the need to safeguard ongoing investigations and future legal proceedings.
The documents underscore the complexity of the investigation and the efforts made by law enforcement to piece together the tragic events that unfolded at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
