Newly disclosed documents, obtained through the joint efforts of CBC News and a group of media organizations, provide fresh insights into the RCMP’s actions and inquiries following the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, in February 2026.
The unsealed files, comprising search warrants, production orders, and sealing orders, offer a comprehensive overview of a multifaceted investigation, shedding light for the first time on law enforcement’s perspective of the tragic events at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
While significant portions of the documents remain redacted, crucial details such as the timeline of the response, including the duration it took for officers to enter the school after reports of gunfire, are still undisclosed.
According to the documents, on February 10, 2026, the RCMP swiftly responded to reports of an active shooter at the high school in Tumbler Ridge. Upon arrival, authorities discovered six deceased victims amid a scene scattered with spent shell casings. The identified perpetrator was 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was found deceased in the school from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
The search warrants filed by the RCMP outline the physical and electronic evidence collected as part of reconstructing the tragic events of that fateful day.
A sealing order filed in early March expressed apprehensions about releasing records linked to the investigation, citing potential risks to future public inquests and public safety.
The catastrophic incident, considered one of Canada’s deadliest, deeply impacted the tight-knit community of Tumbler Ridge. A coroner’s inquest is currently underway, delving into the roles of mental health, access to firearms, and artificial intelligence in the tragedy.
Throughout the documents, Van Rootselaar is variously referred to by her last name, full name, “Jesse,” and “the shooter.”
An account sworn by Constable Jonathan Paquin of the RCMP North District Major Crime Unit on March 6 detailed the flurry of 911 calls received on the morning of the tragic events in Tumbler Ridge.
The unfolding chaos began with reports of an erratic driver linked to Jesse’s residence. Subsequently, multiple reports of shots fired at the secondary school heightened the urgency of the situation.
The documents provide a detailed sequence of events, chronicling the response of officers as they arrived at the scene, encountered gunfire, entered the school premises, and discovered the deceased victims, including the shooter.
The production order also highlighted confusion regarding the possibility of a second shooter at the school, attributed to the shooter’s multiple aliases and identities.
Details pertaining to firearms and other physical evidence remain sealed, with a search warrant detailing the items sought by the police in their investigation.
Electronic records, including the review of the suspect in the Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME), were also part of the investigative focus. The documents revealed a history of interactions entered into the PRIME database dating back to when Van Rootselaar was around 10 years old.
An application to seal the documents emphasized concerns about compromising ongoing investigations, influencing public inquiries, and potentially inciting further violent acts if prematurely disclosed.
The meticulous documentation details the complex and far-reaching implications of the tragedy, underscoring the need for caution in handling sensitive information that could impact the ongoing investigations and public safety.
