February 2026
On 12 February, Canada was rocked by the worst mass shooting since 2020 and the worst school shooting since the École Polytechnique de Montréal shooting in December 1989. In this case, the shooter was a troubled young man with a history of mental health problems, who the mainstream media are more concerned with identifying him as a trans woman, using she/her pronouns, than they are in condemning this sickening act of violence.
Jesse Strang, who had been transitioning since age 12, shot up Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, killing eight people and wounded twenty-seven others, including two individuals reported to be in serious or life-threatening condition. The ages of the dead included a 39-year-old teacher, three 12-year-old girls, and two boys aged 12 and 13.
Strang also killed his 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old step-brother prior to shooting the young students and a teacher.
Let’s also highlight some other important points about Strang: Expired gun licence; A history of mental illness; Cops called to family home due to mental illness, Guns seized from home and then returned to lawful owner, that being his mother.
Just like in Nova Scotia, there were so many points where this could have been stopped. Just like Nova Scotia, the RCMP failed miserably, including being shockingly opaque by initially identifying Strang as a woman in a dress and as a “gunperson,” something they have been roundly mocked for on-line.
And to think that I had my lawfully-owned hunting rifles seized by Barrie Police, my local police force, based on NOTHING more than an anonymous Crime Stoppers complaint – no video, audio, photos (in an era when people have cell phones glued to their hands); no 911 call; no witness willing to come to court and testify; no mental health apprehensions; no concerns from neighbours.
I also had no history of violence or domestic disputes and was a recently retired police officer.
Barrie Police made absolutely no attempt to substantiate the complaint, until I lodged a formal complaint against the officer-in-charge, Sergeant Richard Wentzell. They were returned to me one-and-a-half years and $9000 in legal fees later, after I proved to them that what I was accused of doing NEVER happened! The standard of proof in cases such as this are based on a “balance of probabilities,” not the higher standard of “proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” If I didn’t have alibi evidence that disproved the allegations, I would have lost my rifles and had a weapons prohibition slapped on me. I get targeted for doing nothing wrong, while a troubled young man gets a pass.
Read more about this story at: The Never-Ending Story – My fight for justice continues – Canadian Military History
Now, Toronto Sun commentator Brian Lilley is reporting that, in addition to Strang having an expired firearms licence, his mother, who was also murdered by her son, also had an expired firearms licence. Translation: Neither of them should have been in possession of firearms.
So, good work RCMP, in protecting the citizens of Tumbler Ridge!
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Tumbler Ridge mass shooting: Who were the victims? (As written by CTV News)
Zoey Benoit, 12, deceased
In a statement shared by the RCMP, the family of 12-year-old Zoey Benoit described her as “resilient, vibrant, smart, caring and the strongest little girl you could meet.”
The 12-year-old was a daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter and friend, the family said.
“Our family is devastated by this loss, but we will cherish her memories with us so close to our hearts forever,” they added.
“She will forever be loved and never forgotten. We miss you beautiful girl, Zoey we love you so much.”
Shannda Aviugana-Durand, 39, deceased
The B.C. Government Employees’ Union identified Aviugana-Durand as one of its members, saying further information will not be released at this time out of respect for the family.
“We are grieving the profound loss of one of our union members whose life was taken in this terrible event,” a social media post from the BCGEU said.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, coworkers, and all those whose lives she touched.”
Abel Mwansa, 12, deceased
Twelve-year-old Abel Mwansa is being remembered by his father as a child who went to school with a “beautiful smile” on his face.
His dad, Abel Mwansa Sr. shared his grief online, mourning the future his son will never have.
“I saw a bright future, a leader, an engineer, also a scientist in you, because you loved doing experiments with explanation,” he wrote.
“I invested so much in you to make you a better person, one that will change the world.”
The bereft father also expressed how helpless he feels after the killings.
“If I had power to give life I would have brought you back to life together with others that were killed alongside you. But son, my power is limited,” he wrote.
“Seeing your child murdered at this age is heartbreaking.”
Ticaria Lampert, 12, deceased
Twelve-year-old Ticaria Lampert is being remembered as a “one-of-a-kind kiddo,” who was being raised by a single mom along with her seven siblings.
An online fundraiser has been launched to help the family, which offers a glimpse into who Ticaria was.
“Ticaria was such a loving, courageous, humorous, one of a kind kiddo and her life was cut short,” the GoFundMe says.
“Hold your loved ones tight. Tell your babies you love them. Rest easy sweet girl and all the others lost in this tragic event.”
CTV News has confirmed the victim’s identity with her family.
Kylie Smith, 12, deceased
Twelve-year-old Kylie Smith, who was the “light of her family,” is being identified by her grieving family as one of the students killed in a shooting at a Tumbler Ridge, B.C. high school Wednesday.
Her family spoke to CTV News Wednesday, from the small community that has been shattered by the shocking mass shooting that left nine people dead, including the suspect.
“She was just a beautiful soul. She loves art and anime. She wanted to go to school in Toronto, and we just loved her so much. She was thriving in high school,” her dad, Lance Young said.
“She never hurt a soul.”
Ezekiel Schofield, 13, deceased
Ezekiel’s grandfather Peter posted about the teen’s death Wednesday, saying he and his wife were travelling from the Lower Mainland to Tumbler Ridge to be close to their loved ones—thanking everyone who had already reached out to offer condolences and support.
“So many young lives were ended so needlessly. Our hearts are broken not only for Ezekiel, but for every family affected by this tragedy,” the post said.
“Please keep all of Tumbler Ridge in your thoughts and prayers as the community begins to navigate the days, weeks, and years ahead. We feel absolutely broken.”
Maya Edmonds, 12, injured
Maya Edmonds was airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver after the shooting. Her mother Cia Edmonds said on Facebook and in a GoFundMe that Maya had been shot in the head and neck and is in critical condition.
“This doesn’t even feel real,” Cia’s post reads. “I never thought I would be asking for prayers, but please, please, pray for my baby.”
- Read more: ‘Our baby needs a miracle’: 12-year-old Tumbler Ridge shooting victim in critical condition
Paige Hoekstra, 19, injured
The 19-year-old woman who was airlifted to hospital in serious condition following the shooting is “officially out of danger and in recovery,” according to her family.
Hoekstra was shot once in the chest at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and airlifted to hospital in Vancouver.
Her sister said on social media Thursday that Paige has undergone successful surgery to assess and repair her wounds.
“Her whole family is here to support her through her recovery to get back to the Paige we all know and love,” her sister wrote.
“We are deeply comforted by the outstanding support displayed by our friends, family, and community and we would like to thank everybody for all of the support, prayers and well wishes.”
Jennifer Jacobs, 39, deceased
The shooter’s mother was identified as one of the victims police said was found at a home, which they described as a “secondary scene.”
Emmett Jacobs, 11, deceased
The suspect’s sibling—an 11-year-old boy—was also found in the home, according to authorities. His name was Emmett, CTV News learned.
Other than the family members, the RCMP said it was too early to comment on what relationship, if any, the suspect had with the people who were killed.
“There’s been much speculation within the community regarding the relationship between the shooter and some of the victims. All of that remains part of the active and ongoing investigation. We are not in a position to publicly confirm any specifics,” said Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, commanding officer of the B.C. RCMP, at a news conference.
The suspect who died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds at the school has been identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar—an 18-year-old who police said was “born as a biological male” and “identified as female, both socially and publicly.”
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Sources: Shocking: Parent of Tumbler Ridge students describes horror of mass shooting – Rebel News, Tumbler Ridge, B.C. grapples with pure horror | Toronto Sun, A trail of police calls, ‘violent’ online activity, and gun access for Tumbler Ridge mass shooter | Toronto Sun, List of school shootings in Canada – Wikipedia, Facebook.
