In a tragic mass shooting that unfolded on February 10, 2026, in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, an 18-year-old transgender woman named Jesse Van Rootselaar carried out one of the deadliest attacks in the country’s history. Van Rootselaar, who was born male and began transitioning six years prior, had a documented history of mental health struggles and police visits to her home. She first killed her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old half-brother at their residence before proceeding to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where she fatally shot five students (three 12-year-old girls, one 12-year-old boy, and one 13-year-old boy) and a 39-year-old education assistant. The shooter then took her own life, bringing the total death toll to nine, including herself.
The attack left at least 25 others injured, with victims ranging from students to staff in the small community of about 2,400 residents. Among the survivors is 12-year-old Maya, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head and neck and was airlifted to British Columbia Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, where she remains in critical condition.
In a hopeful update shared by Maya’s mother, Cia Edmonds, on February 21, 2026, via a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), she reported signs of progress in her daughter’s recovery: “Her eye is open and she’s responding and moving around and she is moving her hands.” The video, which includes footage of Maya in the hospital responding to stimuli, has garnered widespread attention and offers a glimmer of positivity amid the devastation.
This incident has reignited discussions on mental health support, gun control in Canada, and the potential influences of online violent extremism, as Van Rootselaar’s social media history revealed fascination with weapons, substance abuse, and dark online content. Authorities continue to investigate the motive, but no clear explanation has emerged yet.