Newly disclosed records obtained by CBC News and a group of media organizations offer fresh insights into the RCMP’s handling of the Tumbler Ridge, B.C., mass shooting in February 2026. These documents, including search warrants and sealing orders, shed light on the intricate investigation into the tragic events at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
The unredacted RCMP files provide a glimpse into the frontline officers’ experiences on the day of the shooting. Despite some redactions, crucial details such as the timeline of the response remain undisclosed, leaving unanswered questions about the officers’ entry into the school following reports of gunfire.
According to the documents, on February 10, 2026, RCMP officers were called to the high school in response to an active shooter situation. Inside the school, they discovered six deceased individuals amid scattered shell casings, with the shooter identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The search warrants filed by the RCMP outline the physical and electronic evidence collected as part of the investigation to reconstruct the events of that fateful day. Additionally, a sealing order expressed concerns about the potential impact of releasing sensitive records on future public inquiries and public safety.
911 calls reporting an erratic driver and gunshots triggered the police response to the mass shooting incident, which deeply affected the small community of Tumbler Ridge. The documents refer to the shooter using different aliases and reveal the chaotic nature of the calls received by the RCMP as events unfolded.
Details surrounding firearms and electronic evidence obtained from Van Rootselaar’s residence and personal belongings remain sealed. The documents also mention a review of the teenager’s interactions with the police and the discovery of social media accounts linked to the shooter.
Concerns over compromising ongoing investigations and public safety prompted an application to seal certain records to prevent premature disclosure that could influence the outcome of a coroner’s inquest. The documents highlight the complexities of the investigation and the potential risks associated with releasing sensitive information prematurely.