Canada’s PM Carney to visit Tumbler Ridge after mass school shooting

Police say 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar killed her mother and stepbrother before carrying out mass shooting in BC.Published On 12 Feb 2026Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he will shortly visit the remote British Columbia town of Tumbler Ridge, where nine people died in one of the country’s worst mass shootings, according to his office.Police say 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who had suffered mental health problems, killed her mother and stepbrother on Tuesday before shooting a teacher and five young students at the local school.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2Canada police identify shooting suspect as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaarlist 2 of 2Tumbler Ridge mass shooting: What we know about Canada’s school attackend of listVan Rootselaar, who police say was born a male but began identifying as a woman six years ago, then died by suicide.“The Prime Minister will be visiting Tumbler Ridge shortly in support of the community … [we are] working closely with the community and local authorities to finalise details based on their own immediate needs,” Carney’s office said on Thursday in a brief statement, which gave no details.Across Tumbler Ridge, a town of about 2,400 in the Canadian Rockies, flowers and stuffed animals could be seen at unofficial public memorials.“Hold your kids tight, tell them you love them every day. You never know,” a tearful Lance Young, father of 12-year-old victim Kylie Smith, told reporters on Wednesday.Carney announced on Wednesday that Canadian flags will be flown at half-staff for seven days on federal buildings following the mass school shooting.Honouring the victimsPolice, who say they still do not have a motive, held a meeting with provincial officials late on Wednesday.“They are working very hard – they recognise the public does need to hear information to fill that vacuum,” local provincial legislator Larry Neufeld told CBC News on Thursday.