Peace River South MLA calls for Public inquiry into the Tumbler Ridge tragedy

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The MLA for Peace River South Larry Neufeld is asking the B.C. government to launch a full public inquiry in light of the recent tragedy in Tumbler Ridge. 

According to a release sent out on February 26th, Neufeld is calling for an inquiry using all powers available under British Columbia’s Public Inquiry Act. 

On February 10th, Jesse Van Rootselaar, killed eight people in a mass-shooting that shook the tight-knit community of Tumbler Ridge. 

In the release, Neufeld said British Columbians deserved clear answers about the warning signs that were missed, the systems that failed to connect and government agencies, institutions and private sector platforms should have intervened earlier had they received information. 

He said: “Families are grieving and an entire community is hurting. People in Tumbler Ridge and across the Peace are trying to make even the smallest sense of something that feels impossible.” 

“They keep coming back to the same question: how did this happen when there were warning signs? They deserve honest answers. A public inquiry is how we get the full truth, with witnesses compelled, documents produced, and evidence tested in public,” Neufeld said. 

As per the B.C. Public Inquiry Act, a commission can summon witnesses, compel the production of information and documents, take evidence under oath and apply to court to enforce compliance or obtain warrants where needed. 

Neufeld shared that the inquiry must examine system performance across the government and the private sector, which included but not limited to: 

• Previous point of contact and information shared between agencies and institutions. 
• Gaps in threat assessment, follow-up and escalation protocols. 
• Whether existing mental health and public safety tools were used appropriately. 
• The roles and responsibilities of online platforms, including AI services, when accounts are flagged or concerning activity is detected. 
• Whether provincial policies and resourcing decisions left communities without the support needed. 

“Tumbler Ridge deserves answers,” said Neufeld. “A public inquiry can establish facts, identify failures, and deliver recommendations that actually affect change.”

Neufeld asked the government to immediately announce an inquiry with clear terms of reference, an independent commissioner and a requirement to report publicly with actionable recommendations.