Newly unsealed documents obtained by CBC News and a group of media organizations have shed light on the RCMP’s actions and inquiries into the mass shooting that occurred at Tumbler Ridge, B.C., in February 2026.
These documents, comprising search warrants, production orders, and sealing orders, offer insights into the intricate investigation, outlining law enforcement’s perspective on the day of the tragic incident at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
While significant sections of the files remain redacted, crucial timestamps detailing the sequence of events, such as the response time of officers entering the school after reports of gunfire, are among the redacted information.
According to the unredacted RCMP files, on February 10, 2026, the RCMP reacted to an active shooter situation at the high school in Tumbler Ridge. Upon arrival, they discovered six deceased victims amid spent shell casings, with the identified shooter being 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was found deceased within the school premises from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
The search warrants filed by the RCMP delineate the physical and electronic evidence collected as part of reconstructing the events of that tragic day.
A sealing order submitted in early March expressed apprehension about releasing records linked to the investigation that could jeopardize future public inquiries and pose risks to public safety.
911 calls reporting an erratic driver and shots fired set off the chain of events during the mass shooting incident that profoundly impacted the small community of Tumbler Ridge. The coroner’s inquest is now examining the roles of mental health, weapon accessibility, and artificial intelligence in the tragedy.
Throughout the documents, Van Rootselaar is identified by various names, including her last name, full name, “Jesse,” and “the shooter.”
A production and sealing order filed by Const. Jonathan Paquin of the RCMP North District Major Crime Unit on March 6 detailed a series of 911 calls received on the fateful morning when chaos unfolded in Tumbler Ridge.
The documents recount how the authorities were shot at by the suspect, leading them to temporarily halt their actions. The absence of timestamps in the documents leaves uncertainties about the time gaps between the incidents detailed over several pages.
Efforts are underway to make some of the redacted information public, as CBC News and other media outlets have been lobbying in court for transparency.
Details regarding the firearms involved remain undisclosed, with a search warrant outlining the types of evidence sought by the police, including firearms, ammunition, and electronic devices belonging to Jesse Van Rootselaar.
A separate investigation delved into Van Rootselaar’s interactions with law enforcement through the Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME) database, revealing a history dating back to when she was around 10 years old.
An application to seal certain documents highlights concerns about jeopardizing ongoing investigations and public safety if the information is prematurely disclosed. It also underscores the potential influence that public dissemination of the data could have on future legal proceedings and inquiries related to the tragic incident.