Canadian police updated information on a shooting at two locations—a school and a residence—reducing the victim count from 9 to 8 and revealing the suspect's identity as a transgender woman.
On 11 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Dwayne MacDonald, Deputy Commissioner of the Canadian Police, held a press conference updating details on the two-site shooting, including at a school in the city of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, which occurred Tuesday (10 Feb). He disclosed that the gunman was Jesse Vant-Russell, 18, who died from self-inflicted wounds.
MacDonald stated that Vant-Russell was assigned male at birth but began transitioning to female about six years ago and identified as a "woman," presenting socially and publicly as female.
Vant-Russell dropped out of Tumbler Ridge High School, one of the shooting locations, four years ago. When asked if the suspect faced bullying due to the gender transition, MacDonald said there was no evidence indicating this.
MacDonald provided the latest death toll, stating six victims were shot dead at Tumbler Ridge High School: one female staff member, two male students, and three female students, almost all killed in the school library, with one dying near the fire escape stairs.
Meanwhile, officials confirmed that the two people shot dead at a nearby residence were the suspect's mother and half-brother. Police were called to the home after a report from a young female relative of both the suspect and the victims.
Authorities found two firearms at the school: one rifle and one modified handgun.
Police had visited the suspect’s family home several times over the years to address the suspect’s mental health issues, with some visits involving concerns related to firearms.
MacDonald said that about two years ago, police went to the suspect’s home and seized firearms under the criminal code, but the lawful owner later applied for their return, and the weapons were subsequently returned.
When asked if the suspect held a firearms permit, the Deputy Commissioner said, “I believe she had a license that expired in 2024. She currently has no firearms registered in her name.”
MacDonald also admitted police have “no leads” regarding the suspect’s motive, which investigators are actively pursuing.
Reporters asked MacDonald for comments on the suspect's family home environment, but he stated he could not comment at this time.
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Source:BBC