Tumbler Ridge, B.C. families speak out on children killed in school mass murder

On Tuesday afternoon, say police, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar shot her mom Jennifer Strang and younger stepbrother to death in their home before heading to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, loaded with weapons.

There, she shot dead five students and an adult staffer and seriously wounded Gebala and Hoekstra before firing on approaching police and then taking her own life.

Three girls were killed, all age 12. One has been identified as Kylie Smith, described by her parents as a girl who loved anime and art and dreamt of going to school in Toronto.

“She had the biggest heart and was such a gentle, loving, caring girl, who lit up the way everywhere she went. She couldn’t hurt a fly,” Kylie’s mom, Desirae Pisarski, posted on Facebook.

Another victim was Ticaria Lampert, who a GoFundMe organizer says leaves behind seven siblings and her mother Sarah.

Two boys died, including 12-year-old Abel Mwansa Jr. “My son, I treasured the moment I spent with you, you were a great son still remains a great one to me,” his mother said on Facebook.

“This cut is the deepest.”

The other boy, 13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield, was remembered by his grandfather Peter Schofield. “Everything feels so surreal. The tears just keep flowing,” he posted on Facebook.

Tumbler Ridge, its 2,700 residents, and Canada, have seen expressions of support arrive from leaders around the world, from as far away as war-torn Ukraine and Australia.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced he will head to Tumbler Ridge to attend a vigil on Friday. His office says Carney was invited by town Mayor Darryl Krakowka and that he has invited all other federal party leaders to join him.

On Thursday, an official day of mourning in B.C., residents walked through chill winds to continue to lay flowers at a makeshift memorial in the town centre. B.C. Premier David Eby and his public safety minister, Nina Krieger, quietly added bouquets and stood silently for a few moments before leaving.

One resident said they were thankful for support and hoped the legacy of this one-time coal mining boom town be one of compassion and not pain.

“Our community doesn’t want to be remembered for the place of a tragedy,” Yvonne Poulin told reporters. “I love this place. I love this town and now I love Canada even more because of what you’ve given to us.”

The night before, young children, teenagers, parents and grandparents huddled against the cold and the grief at a vigil. Krakowka mayor told mourners, “It’s OK to cry.”

Mounties continue to investigate.

On Thursday, investigators wearing white coveralls, worn to prevent an officer from contaminating a crime scene, were outside the home where Strang and the 11-year-old died.

Police have said that they paid multiple visits to Van Rootselaar’s home on mental health concerns and at one time to seize weapons, which were later returned.

Van Rootselaar, they said, was assigned male at birth but began to transition six years ago. Four years ago, she dropped out of school.

Strang’s friend, in a social media post, called her a caring parent.

“I know you did your very best despite of everything,” said the post from Rhen-Rhen Reyes Ceredon.

Strang’s Facebook page says she hailed from the small town of Lawn on the southern tip of Newfoundland and Labrador, separated from her husband in 2015, and sought to move her children from B.C. back to her home province.

Instead, a judge ruled the children were to be returned to B.C., citing in his decision that they had led an “almost nomadic life.”

A long gun and a modified handgun were located in the school after the shooting and Mounties say they are working to determined where they came from, who owned them and whether they were legal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2026.

Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Tumbler Ridge, B.C. families speak out on children killed in school mass murder

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