Victims of Tumbler Ridge mass shooting identified by RCMP

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — The victims of this week’s school shooting in Tumbler Ridge have been officially identified by the RCMP.

Eight people and the shooter died and 27 were injured in a mass shooting at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on February 10th. 

The shooter was later identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a resident of Tumbler Ridge, in an RCMP press conference on February 11th. 

Soon after, fundraisers for families of the victims started to go live. Alongside fundraisers for individuals, the Tumbler Ridge Parent Teacher Council (PAC) set up a page raising money for all of the victims’ families. In just over one day, it has already surpassed $300,000 alone.

Sharing one of the fundraisers on a Fort St. John Facebook page, city councillor Trevor Bolin advocated for residents to focus on the victims.

“Here is our focus, here is just one of our 25 focuses surrounding this tragedy in Tumbler Ridge.  As we mourn the losses together, let’s focus on those fighting for their lives… not arguing on who’s right and who’s wrong on social media,” Bolin said. 

Tumbler Ridge RCMP publicly confirmed the victims of the shooting in a February 12th press release.

“The BC RCMP offers sincere condolences to the families who have lost loved ones, and to the entire Tumbler Ridge community that is grieving alongside them,” Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, BC RCMP commanding officer, stated.

“This is a time of deep sorrow, and many are still processing the weight of this tragedy. We will continue to support the families, respect their wishes and walk with the community as it begins the long journey toward healing.”

Here is what we know so far about the victims, both those deceased and those in critical condition.

Abel Mwansa Junior, 12 years old

Abel Mwansa Junior was one of the children who passed away during the shooting, with his father, Abel Mwansa, posting about his loss on Facebook on February 11th, writing it was “devastating.”

“Seeing you leaving the house with that beautiful smile while going to Tumbler Ridge high school was so refreshing,” Mwansa wrote. 

“This is because I saw a bright future, a leader, an engineer [and] also a scientist in you, because you loved doing experiments with explanation.”

“Rest in peace son… together with your fellow innocent victims.”

A GoFundMe was established on February 12th by a Tumbler Ridge paramedic to “help support the family in their time of need.” As of 1 p.m., $1,005 had been raised. 

Emmett Jacobs, 11 years old

Van Roostelaar’s 11-year-old stepbrother Emmett Jacobs was discovered dead alongside Jennifer Jacobs in a residence in Tumbler Ridge.

They are believed to have been Van Roostelaar’s first victims in the killing spree. He was identified in the RCMP press release and no more information is known at this time.

Ezekiel Schofield, 13 years old

According to an article published by the National Post on February 12th, Ezekiel Schofield was one of the victims who passed away at the school. 

In a Facebook post on February 11th, Peter Schofield, Ezekiel’s grandfather, expressed his devastation and his gratitude to those offering condolences, writing it meant “more than words can express.” 

“We are travelling to Tumbler Ridge to be with our family and support them in any way we can, everything feels so surreal, the tears just keep flowing,” Peter wrote. 

“So many young lives were ended so needlessly. Our hearts are broken not only for Eziekiel [sic], but for every family affected by this tragedy.”

(Updated Feb. 14, 2026) A GoFundMe has now been created for Ezekiel. You can find it by clicking here.

Jennifer Jacobs, 39 years old

According to a CBC News article published on February 11th, Jennifer Jacobs was the mother of Van Rootselaar who was found dead at a home on Fellers Avenue in Tumbler Ridge.

She has previously been identified by the media under the name Jennifer Strang, but RCMP told Energeticcity.ca her legal surname is Jacobs.

Jennifer was a single mother to five children. A GoFundMe has been created for the funeral costs of her funeral and Emmett’s. You can donate here.

Kylie Smith, 12 years old

Kylie Smith is one of the five students who died at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

Her aunt, Shanon Dycke, spoke about Kylie in a GoFundMe posted to support her family. As of 1 p.m. on February 12th, the fundraiser has received $29,519 in donations. 

“We are completely devastated and have no words as we try to process the magnitude of the situation,” Dycke wrote. 

According to Dycke, the funds will be used to support Kylie’s dad, step mom, brother and step brother through their grief and create a memorial for Kylie’s “beautiful, kind, innocent soul.”

“My heart aches for the other families involved and for the loss of their children, I am so sorry. To the families with children still in the hospital: keep fighting. We are sending you prayers.”

Maya Gebala, 12 years old

Maya Gebala was one of the individuals transported from Tumbler Ridge to the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, suffering from gunshot wounds to her head and neck. 

According to a February 11th Global News story, 12-year-old Maya tried to lock the door of the school library from the shooter to protect her friends before she was shot. 

In a February 12th update on Facebook by Maya’s mother Cia Later, Maya’s condition may be improving. 

“She’s moved! It’s a stimulus, a kick, a hand move, but it’s something!!. It’s truly something new in almost 48 hours,” Later wrote. 

“We are so incredibly grateful for the outpour of support literally around the world. We still hold strong for the families who aren’t so fortunate.”

As of 1 p.m. on February 12th, a fundraiser for Maya’s medical costs has surpassed its goal of $250,000 and sits at $289,514. 

Paige Hoekstra, 12 years old

According to a GoFundMe launched on February 11th by Paige’s older brother Nicholas Hoekstra, she was one of the three individuals airlifted to a hospital in Vancouver after being shot in Tumbler Ridge.

“We’re still trying to wrap our heads around it. It all happened so fast,” Nicholas wrote. 

“Watching someone you love go through something like this is something you can’t really prepare for. We’re scared, we’re hoping, and we’re just taking it one moment at a time.”

As of 1 p.m., $33,410 had been raised through the GoFundMe.

Shannda Aviugana-Durand, 39 years old

Aviugana-Durand, identified in the February 12th RCMP press release, was an educator at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. No more information is known at this time.

(Updated Feb. 14, 2026) A GoFundMe has been created for Shannda’s family. You can view it by clicking here.

Ticaria (Tiki) Lampert, 12 years old

Another victim who passed away inside the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, Ticaria (Tiki) Lampert.

Kenesha Mercredi, a resident of Tumbler Ridge, set up a GoFundMe for Tiki’s mother to “help to relieve a grieving mother” and support her funeral costs. 

“Tiki was such a loving, courageous, humorous, one-of-a-kind kiddo and her life was cut short at only 12 years of age,” Mercredi wrote.

According to Mercredi, Tiki’s mother is a single parent with seven other children, and all the funds raised will go towards supporting them during this “unimaginable time.”

As of 1 p.m. on February 12th, the GoFundMe has raised $8,522.

Zoey Renee Anne Benoit, 12 years old

In a Facebook post on February 12th, Lori Hayer described the experience of learning about her daughter’s death during the shooting. 

“My nephew was the first one to come out safe as we embraced him, then my son was the next one to come out. I was so relieved that they were safe and with us,” Hayer wrote. 

“And then there was my beautiful daughter that we waited for and never showed after them. We didn’t know [if] she was hurt or where she was, [we] waited for hours.”

Hayer described Benoit as “strong minded” and caring. 

“She loved to [do] art, play with her siblings, she also had a beautiful singing voice that she didn’t realize that she had. She was our baby, our girl and our brave hulk and would kick some ass if you pissed her off and if someone tried [to] hurt her brother or sister, oh goodness, look out.”

A fundraiser for Zoey’s family has raised $6,756 of a $10,000 goal.