Canada’s strict gun laws failed to prevent its deadliest school mass shooting in years, raising urgent questions about mental health neglect and border security risks for America under President Trump’s successful reforms.
Story Snapshot
- Nine killed, over 25 wounded in shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and nearby home on February 10, 2026—Canada’s worst since 2020 Nova Scotia attack.
- 18-year-old female suspect Jesse Van Rootselaar, with prior mental health police contacts, died by self-inflicted wound; motive unknown.
- Rapid RCMP response in two minutes highlights effective policing, contrasting failed gun control promises.
- Remote town of 2,700 mourns as a “big family,” with Mayor knowing most victims personally.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney suspends travel amid national grief, underscoring limits of leftist policies abroad.
Tragic Attack Unfolds in Rural Canada
On February 10, 2026, at approximately 1:20 PM local time, gunfire erupted at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, a rural town of 2,700 residents over 1,000 km north of Vancouver. Six people died at the school, one en route to hospital, and two at a connected nearby home. Over 25 others suffered wounds, with two airlifted in life-threatening condition. The school serves 175 students in grades 7-12, shattering this tight-knit community described as a “big family.”
Suspect’s Mental Health History Emerges
Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old female local, emerged as the sole suspect. Police found her dead at the scene from a self-inflicted injury. RCMP noted her prior mental health contacts but withheld details. Superintendent Ken Floyd stated the motive remains unclear, with victim-suspect connections under review. This rare female-perpetrated mass attack underscores mental health failures, even in Canada where such events seldom occur despite draconian gun restrictions.
RCMP arrived within two minutes, credited by BC Premier David Eby, demonstrating swift action in a remote area. Yet Canada’s stringent gun laws—far tighter than America’s—did nothing to stop the arsenal used. This tragedy, deadliest since the 2020 Nova Scotia rampage killing 22, exposes the folly of gun bans while ignoring root causes like untreated mental illness.
Leaders Respond to Community Devastation
Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka broke down, stating, “It’s devastating… I probably know every one of the victims.” Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended trips to Halifax and Germany, declaring, “Parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love. The nation mourns with you.” He thanked emergency services and noted support from the King and world leaders, including UK PM Keir Starmer.
As of February 11, investigation continues with no victim age breakdowns released. Two injured remain critical. For Americans watching under President Trump’s border victories—deporting over 605,000 illegals and slashing crossings—this serves as a stark reminder. Weak northern neighbors amplify risks, validating Trump’s focus on secure borders, military presence, and self-sufficiency over globalist open-door failures.
Implications for Policy and Security
Short-term grief grips the town, with long-term scrutiny on mental health policing and emergency response. Despite rarity of mass shootings in Canada, this incident may spark futile gun debates, ignoring how laws didn’t prevent access. President Trump’s America contrasts sharply: robust enforcement protects families, prioritizing citizens over unchecked immigration that strains resources and invites chaos seen north of the border.
New: Canadian Mass Shooter Identified As Transgender, Authorities Rush to Not 'Misgender'https://t.co/H9DOXUyxsO
— RedState (@RedState) February 11, 2026
Conservatives celebrate Trump’s 2026 successes—negative net migration, doubled ICE agents—safeguarding jobs, communities, and values against the inflation, crime, and woke overreach that plagued Biden’s era. Canada’s pain reinforces why America must never waver on sovereignty, gun rights for law-abiding patriots, and addressing mental health without eroding freedoms.
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Nine killed in school and home shooting in rural Canada
