Within moments of receiving reports of an active shooter nearby, Stacie Gruntman, the principal of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, took immediate action as trained—she initiated a lockdown of the school.
Swiftly moving through the small school nestled in the Rocky Mountains of northern British Columbia, Gruntman checked that classroom doors were securely locked. Teachers turned off the lights and gathered their students to maintain a sense of safety amidst the chaos.
Darian Quist, a Grade 12 student, recounted the experience, explaining that he and his classmates initially believed the lockdown to be a drill. However, as they received unsettling photos from different parts of the school, fear began to surface.
“We used tables to barricade the doors,” he shared. In the gymnasium, older students provided comfort to younger children while loud bangs reverberated throughout the building.
Located in a town with only three police vehicles, officers arrived in under five minutes after the alarm was triggered, but were met with gunfire, as they later reported.
Their rapid response saved many lives; however, by that time, six individuals had already lost their lives at the school: a 39-year-old teacher, three 12-year-old girls, and two boys aged 12 and 13. One victim was found in a stairwell while the others were located in a classroom.
Additionally, over two dozen people sustained injuries.
The suspected shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, was also found deceased. His mother, 39, and an 11-year-old sibling, presumed to be a step-brother, were discovered dead at a nearby residence.
By the morning of Wednesday, both schools in Tumbler Ridge were closed, with police tape cordoning off the roads. Numerous officers, flown in from various regions of the province, continued what will be a challenging and emotional investigation.
As the stories from one of Canada’s most tragic mass shootings begin to emerge, narratives of bravery and heartbreak reveal the deep devastation that has impacted the small town and the nation as a whole.
“There are no words in the English language to describe the horror of what transpired,” expressed provincial lawmaker Larry Neufeld.
The remote coal-mining community of just 2,700 residents is surrounded by dense forests and is renowned for its natural beauty. However, on Tuesday, daily life was upended when an emergency alert sounded on phones, warning locals of an active shooter.
While parents were informed that both schools were in lockdown, they had little information about the situation. Hours later, images circulating on social media depicted frightened students leaving the school, their hands raised.
The mayor of Tumbler Ridge, Darryl Krakowka, revealed that he broke down upon hearing the death count.
“Having lived here for 18 years,” he shared about a community he described as a “big family,” “I probably know every one of the victims.”
The Rev. George Rowe of the Tumbler Ridge Fellowship Baptist Church visited the recreation center where families of the victims awaited updates. “It was a heart-wrenching scene. Families are still waiting to learn if their child is among the deceased, and due to procedure, the investigation team is careful in releasing names,” Rowe stated on Tuesday.
Rowe, who previously taught at the high school and has three children who graduated from there, expressed, “Walking through the school corridors will never feel the same again.”
Chris Norbury, a town council member whose wife is a teacher at the school, voiced the heaviness in his heart as residents grappled with the tragedy. “I cannot stop thinking about the children, the teachers, and the first responders who endured such a terrifying experience,” he shared on social media. “Like many in our community, I felt a fear that grips your heart and soul, the fear of losing a loved one. It is an experience no one should ever face.”
Rhen-Rhen Reyes Ceredon shared that her son was among the students who went through the hours-long lockdown. “It’s incredibly traumatic for him to witness what occurred in their school. Fellow parents, I understand how terrifying and shocking this situation is. We need to engage our children about their mental health, validating their feelings and experiences,” she posted on social media. “Provide comfort and assure them that we are here for them. This tragedy will remain in their minds, and we need to support their healing process.”
The BC Assembly of First Nations expressed their deep sorrow regarding the “tragic loss of life” in Tumbler Ridge. “The senseless violence that has taken precious lives, including that of the suspect, will leave a lasting impact not only in this community but throughout BC and all of Canada,” the statement read.
This shooting, the deadliest act of mass violence in Canada since 2020, when a gunman in Nova Scotia took 13 lives and caused further destruction, has left the entire nation grieving. Political leaders expressed their emotions openly in response.
Mark Carney, who spent part of his early life in a small west Canadian town, remarked that Tumbler Ridge was facing a “very difficult” day. “Parents, grandparents, siblings in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they cherish. The nation mourns with you; Canada stands in solidarity,” he conveyed.
He announced that flags at government buildings would be flown at half-mast and canceled a planned trip to Germany.
Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader of the opposition, reflected, “As a father, I cannot fathom the phone calls that parents may have received. I cannot grasp the heartache and suffering they are enduring right now.”
Both schools in Tumbler Ridge will remain closed for the remainder of the week. “There is no set timeline for how we will each process this grief and significant loss, both as individuals and as a community,” stated the school district. “While words often feel inadequate in confronting such loss, uniting can help diminish feelings of isolation and remind us that we are not alone.”
Trent Ernst, publisher of the local Tumbler RidgeLines newspaper, admitted that the overwhelming media requests had prevented him from writing a story about the shooting.
Reflecting the interconnected nature of small towns, where many people hold multiple jobs, Ernst once served as a substitute teacher at the school. “As someone who has worked there and knows the community and many of the children, this is deeply affecting me. This tragedy weighs heavily on the community,” he remarked. “Stay safe, be warm, love your neighbors and family, and know that my heart is with you.”
Key Takeaways
- The Tumbler Ridge Secondary School initiated a lockdown following reports of an active shooter.
- Six individuals lost their lives, including a teacher and multiple students.
- More than two dozen others were injured in the incident.
- The suspected shooter also died, along with family members at a nearby home.
- The town, with a population of 2,700, is now grappling with immense grief and loss.
- Both schools in Tumbler Ridge are closed for the remainder of the week as the community processes the tragedy.
- National leaders express solidarity and mourning for those affected.
FAQ
What led to the lockdown of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School?
The lockdown was initiated in response to reports of an active shooter in the vicinity.
How many casualties were there in the shooting?
Six individuals lost their lives, including a teacher and several students.
What is being done in the aftermath of the tragedy?
The communities are coming together to support each other, with both schools closed for the week to allow for mourning and healing.
