Eight people have been killed in one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings, which also left the attacker dead.
Police have now shared more details about the shooting in Tumbler Ridge, a small town with a population of just 2,400, in British Columbia on Tuesday.
Here’s what we know so far.
Helicopter arrives at Tumbler Ridge school after shooting
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What do we know about the suspect?
The attacker has been identified by police as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said at a news conference on Wednesday.
He said the suspect, from Tumbler Ridge, identified as female but was born a biological male, and began to transition around six years ago.
The suspect was found at the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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The deputy commissioner added that Van Rootselaar was not currently attending Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and had dropped out about four years ago.
“Police had attended that (family) residence on multiple occasions over the past several years, dealing with concerns of mental health with respect to our suspect,” Mr McDonald added.
A public alert sent to phones initially described the shooter as “a female in a dress with brown hair”.
Police superintendent Ken Floyd earlier said the suspect’s motive remained unclear and that authorities are “not in a place to understand why or what may have motivated this tragedy”.
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Suspect’s mother among those killed
Police said they received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which has around 175 students, at 1.20pm on Tuesday (8.20pm UK time).
When officers entered and searched the school, they found multiple victims dead.
An individual believed to be the attacker was also found dead with what appeared to be a self‑inflicted injury.
At the school, police said those killed were a 39-year-old female teacher, three 12-year-old female students, and two male students aged 12 and 13.
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They said two further victims, a 39-year-old female and an 11-year-old male, were found at a local home.
When questioned by reporters, police said the 39-year-old was the mother of the suspect, with the 11-year-old thought to be their brother or step-brother.
The attacker’s family members were killed first, before the school shootings.
Initial reports claimed another victim died while on the way to hospital, but Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said that “a female with significant injuries” survived the shooting.
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Overnight, police said approximately 25 others were being assessed for non‑life‑threatening injuries.
Children ‘barricaded themselves’ as parents waited for news
Children who were at the school at the time were frantically trying to barricade themselves in their classrooms as the attack unfolded, according to local reports.
Citing the reports, Sky News’ international correspondent John Sparkssaid: “They were putting desks and chairs up against the doors, trying to keep the shooter out of their classroom.”
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There were also “desperate scenes” in the town of Tumbler Ridge during the attack, Sparks added.
“Parents were shepherded to a local hall to await news of whether their children were affected by this.
“In a tight-knit community like this, it’s very difficult for the people who live there.”
‘I probably know every victim’
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Canadians in the small town, located more than 600 miles north of Vancouver, near the border with Alberta, are grieving after the tragedy.
Image: Map showing Tumbler Ridge
Darryl Krakowka, mayor of Tumbler Ridge, told reporters: “I broke down. It’s devastating.”
He described the town’s small community as a “big family” and added: “I have lived here for 18 years. I probably know every one of the victims.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney offered his “prayers and deepest condolences” to the families and friends of the victims after the “horrific” attack.
“I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today, and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens,” he said in a statement.
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“Our ability to come together in crisis is the best of our country – our empathy, our unity, and our compassion for each other.”
Image: Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Pic: Western Standard
The premier of British Columbia, David Eby, added: “Our hearts are in Tumbler Ridge tonight with the families of those who have lost loved ones.
“Government will ensure every possible support for community members in the coming days, as we all try to come to terms with this unimaginable tragedy.”
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The school has said it will be closed for the rest of the week.
What are the gun laws in Canada?
While its neighbour has some of the most relaxed firearms legislation in the world, Canadian laws are much stricter.
Anyone wanting to possess a firearm in Canada needs to obtain a possession and acquisition licence (PAL).
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Some types of firearm – such as handguns – need a restricted possession and acquisition licence (RPAL), which is issued by police.
In 2022, the government introduced a freeze on the importing, buying or selling of handguns.
A previous mass shooting in Nova Scotia in April 2020, in which an attacker killed 22 people, prompted the government to announce an immediate ban on the sale and use of assault-style weapons.
Justin Trudeau, then the prime minister, announced the ban of more than 1,500 models and variants of assault-style firearms, including two guns used by the 2020 gunman as well as the AR-15 and other weapons that have been used in a number of mass shootings in the US.
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Image: A member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police holds an assault rifle turned in during a 2013 amnesty. File pic: Reuters
But almost six years later, possession of such firearms is not illegal – yet.
A compensation programme in which gun owners register their interest in turning in these firearms in exchange for cash runs until the end of March this year.
Owners have until the end of October to hand over any banned assault weapons.
After this, anyone in possession “will be breaking the law and could face criminal prosecution”, government briefing documents say.
It has not yet been made public what type of firearm or firearms were used in the most recent attack.
The owner of O’Connell’s Bakery, which is in an independent bakery in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire in Wales, said the one-star review “has knocked the wind out of us”
06:14, 12 Feb 2026Updated 06:15, 12 Feb 2026
The boss of a family-run bakery has taken aim at a customer who left a “dishonest” review.
The management at O’Connell’s Bakery said the “damaging” review could undo much of their hard work and made them question what sort of person would do something like this. In their response, the boss said: “I hope you at least chew your bakes properly” in a nine-word dig.
The negative review, which came via a third-party platform, claimed a delivery never arrived, but O’Connell’s said tracking confirmed that they accepted the parcel. They described the review as “next-level dishonest” and “damaging”, adding that a false review like this one can “undo weeks of hard work, affect visibility, trust, and sales”.
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A post from O’Connell’s Bakery, which is in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, said: “Honestly, this has knocked the wind out of us. Customer places an order on a platform we use. Photo evidence of tracking shows them accepting the parcel. Royal Mail GPS and Google Maps confirming it’s their front door open with the resident recieving our parcel… and then leaving a one-star review claiming it never arrived is next-level dishonest.”
The fiery response continued: “This kind of behaviour isn’t just ‘annoying’ — it’s damaging. For small businesses like ours, one false review can undo weeks of hard work, affect visibility, trust, and sales, and genuinely make you question why you even bother selling on platforms at all.
“We pour our time, money, and hearts into what we do. We don’t have big teams, legal departments, or endless margins to absorb this stuff. It makes you want to pull the plug completely.
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“I truly don’t understand how people can do this and sleep at night. Dishonesty like this shouldn’t be rewarded — if anything, it should be called out and banned from social platforms. I do believe in karma though… and I hope you at least chew your bakes properly. To our genuine customers: thank you. You’re the reason we keep going.”
The bakery received an outpouring of support from their regular customers after they shared the post, according to Wales Online. One person said: “How awful! I’ve never had a problem receiving my orders and can also confirm they have always been delicious. I think all the very positive reviews and comments and all the amazing interaction from you guys show the truth. People like those trolls just show how low in morals they are.” Another said: “Absolutely disgusting thing to do to a brilliant family run business.”
O’Connell’s Bakery, which is in the heart of the market town, is run by a husband and wife, who recently also opened a sweet shop in the area.
Unison has warned that a controversial migration shake-up will lead to a Windrush-style scandal as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood plans changes to settlement rules
Shabana Mahmood’s controversial migration plans risk another Windrush-style scandal, the UK’s biggest trade union warned.
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Unison called on the Home Secretary to back down from proposals to at least double the period when migrant workers are eligible to settle in the UK. The plans have sparked an outcry, with the Home Secretary facing a rebellion from Labour backbenchers.
Under the shake-up, hundreds of thousands of people who thought they would qualify for permanent residence after being in the UK for five years will have to wait 10. And Unison warned key social care and low-paid workers face being in limbo for 15 years.
General secretary Andrea Egan said: “Failure to look at all the consequences is reckless. There’s a risk they’ll have another Windrush-style scandal on their hands.
“You cannot move the goalposts and retrospectively extend the qualifying period to people who came to the UK under existing rules.”
She continued: “The Home Office consultation refers to overseas social care staff as ‘low waged and low skilled’. The country should be thanking these workers, not insulting them.
“The care sector can’t be built on exploited, dehumanised workers.” The Government says the shake-up will require people to earn the right to settle in the UK.
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Ms Mahmood said NHS workers, high earners and people who volunteer will be fast-tracked for quicker settlement deals. At the moment, people have the right to permanently settle in the UK after being here for five years.
The Government is proposing to at least double this – but there will be some exceptions. The standard wait will be 10 years under the plans, while there will be a number of reductions and additions to this.
Claiming benefits and coming to the UK illegally will mean extra years are added, the Home Office said. Last week Ms Mahmood told MPs: “It is perfectly fair and legitimate for us to want to have a controlled system, and that does place burdens on employers.
“You cannot just go off and bring people in from abroad; you have to play by some rules. I think that is fair enough. That is what the changes are designed to do.”
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And in a speech on Thursday, Keir Starmer defended the measures, saying they are focused on contribution. He said: “I mean go back to Windrush – which is such an important moment in our national story.
“The people who came here, they weren’t victims, they weren’t vulnerable. Britain did not invite them here as an act of compassion, that is liberal vanity.
“No, they came here because Britain needed them because they wanted to come and Britain wanted them to make a contribution. And they did. They helped rebuild this country. Now, I think there’s far more dignity in that story – the real story, than in this kind of fairytale of Britain’s charity.”
A Home Office spokesman said:“Net migration is at its lowest level in half a decade and has fallen by more than two-thirds under this government.
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“We will go further to cut numbers, and the Home Secretary has outlined fundamental reforms to fix our broken immigration system, ensuring people who come here contribute and give more than they take.”
Manslaughter charges have been brought against 12 men after a Cambridge United fan died. Simon Dobbin travelled to Southend on March 21, 2015, to watch Cambridge United play Southend United.
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After the match, Simon was subjected to a sustained and violent attack. The attack left him with injuries that changed his life.
Due to the injuries he had suffered, Simon had to receive 24-hour care from his family. Simon died in October 2020.
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised manslaughter charges against 12 men. They are:
Greg Allen, 37, of Wellington Avenue, Westcliff
Ryan Carter, 30, of HMP – The Mount
Jamie Chambers, 33, of Southchurch Avenue, Southend
Lewis Courtnell, 43, of Pall Mall, Leigh-on-Sea
Philip McGill, 40, of Hornby Avenue, Westcliff
Scott Nicholls, 49, of Little Spenders, Basildon
Matthew Petchey, 35, of Pollards Close, Rochford
Rhys Pullen, 29, of Lysander Grove, Maldon
Thomas Randall, 31, of Grand Parade, Leigh-on-Sea
Michael Shawyer, 40, of Edinburgh Avenue, Leigh-On-Sea
Alexander Woods, 33, of First Avenue, Westcliff
James Woods, 33, of The Green, Nawton, York
The 12 men are due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, March 31.
Detective Superintendent Stephen Jennings said: “This is a significant milestone in an extremely complex investigation, and comes as the result of the professionalism, dedication, and hard work from a team of highly skilled officers and staff.
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“Investigations such as these are challenging and can take time, it has required hundreds of hours of painstaking work to get to this stage.
“Throughout this time we have worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service.
“Simon’s case is one that has evoked a great deal of emotion, but I would ask people to be mindful about commentary to ensure those charged are able to have a fair trial.
“I want to thank Simon’s family – his wife Nicole and daughter Emily – for their patience and unwavering support for our team.”
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Certain groups of older people on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may be able to ask the DWP to review their claim and potentially receive backdated payments for enhanced mobility rate
Linda Howard Money and Consumer Writer
04:00, 12 Feb 2026
Certain elderly individuals on Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ), particularly those receiving the lower rate of mobility element, may be eligible to request a reassessment of their claim from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) due to a recent legal amendment. Those over State Pension age might also qualify for an increased award for the mobility component of PIP, even if they’ve ceased receiving the benefit.
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This legal change solely pertains to claimants over State Pension age and their eligibility for the enhanced mobility award. DWP guidelines clarify that this only applies to PIP claims reviewed between April 8, 2013, and November 20, 2020.
This legislative shift comes in the wake of a tribunal ruling on May 22, 2020, which pinpointed an inadvertent loophole in regulation 27 of the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 2013.
The guidance clarifies: “DWP did not have the legal powers to restrict the mobility award for claimants who were in receipt of the standard rate of the mobility award and over State Pension age, on the grounds of new medical evidence. New medical evidence is a report from a health professional requested by DWP which recommended the enhanced rate of the mobility award.
“DWP were only able to restrict the mobility award for claimants if a relevant change in circumstances was identified after they reached State Pension age.”
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To rectify this unintentional oversight, amendments to PIP regulations came into force from November 30, 2020, reports the Daily Record.
The DWP is urging anyone potentially impacted to request a review of their claim.
WXCHARTS has predicted snow will fall from Cape Wrath in northern Scotland to Hereford, starting next Tuesday, with parts of the Scottish Highlands forecast to get up to 97cm (38 inches)
05:00, 12 Feb 2026Updated 05:24, 12 Feb 2026
Britain is preparing for more wintry weather in the coming days as numerous cities across the country are predicted to see snowfall.
New maps from WXCHARTS, utilising MetDesk data, forecast up to a whopping 97cm of snow for certain parts of the UK. Starting next Tuesday, less than a week away, snow is expected to fall from Cape Wrath in northern Scotland down to Hereford in the Midlands.
Scotland will bear the brunt of the conditions, with parts of the Highlands receiving up to 97cm, and surrounding areas seeing up to 12cm. England should fare slightly better, with an average of just 2cm across the country, leaving much of the east and south untouched.
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In a separate forecast for February 15 to 24, the Met Office states: “Showers or longer spells of rain are expected as Atlantic low pressure systems dominate in the vicinity of the UK.
“Some heavy rain is likely in places, probably focussed on western hills, with some snow at times in the north, mainly on high ground. Strong winds are possible at times, especially around coasts. Temperatures will probably be near normal. Later in the period, there is a chance that drier, more settled conditions may begin to develop.”
The Express reports weather warnings are in place already for this week as snow is expected to fall as far south as Derbyshire. However, the worst of the weather is anticipated next week with the heaviest snowfall.
Cities across the UK, from likes of Perth and Stirling in Scotland, to Hereford and Birmingham in the Midlands, are expected to experience snowfall next week.
Low-pressure weather systems stalling across the UK have been blamed for seemingly endless rainfall. The consistent rain is more commonly known as a “blocked” weather system.
“For many, this tax will make their holiday unaffordable, meaning families will shorten trips, forgo a break altogether, reduce their spending with pubs, restaurants, events, leisure activities and local attractions, or travel overseas – spending their money and creating jobs elsewhere.”
Whilst attempting to manage his psychic abilities, he must battle sinister forces seeking to control him.
The programme in question is Legion, adapted from the Marvel Comics character of the same name.
All three seasons of Legion received critical acclaim, with reviewers praising the show’s experimental visual aesthetic and distinctive take on the superhero genre.
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Filmmaker Noah Hawley developed an interest in Legion due to his own mental health struggles and was determined to portray the character’s unique perspective on screen.
The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 90 per cent approval rating for the first season, with Ben Travers from IndieWire describing it as “the most intricate, intimate superhero story to date”.
Viewers also flocked to IMDb reviews to express their opinions on the series, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus.
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A Disney+ subscription is now available from £5.99 per month, offering hit shows like Andor, The Bear and Alien: Earth, plus countless titles from Star Wars and Marvel.
Sublimeintentions praised it as “one of the best series ever made”, continuing: “A visual masterpiece and an incredibly compelling narrative. It’s a hallucinogenic mind trip that you’ll remember.”
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Zachary-10857 enthused: “I rarely ever give higher than a nine and this show deserves the rare award of a 10 from me. I mean, this show is everything I want in a show. Forget that it’s Marvel or superhero-based. It feels nothing like a regular superhero show we know. It throws that formula out of the water. Off a bridge. Hell, it is so different than any show for that matter.”
He continued: “The visuals, cinematography – 10/10 – Some of the most impressive visuals in any tv show ever. Real eye candy.”
Glormmartin chimed in: “This is a very different show. It’s unique, well-acted and the pacing is great. The writing and story development is intelligent and sophisticated.”
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He added: “You’re not spoon-fed, but required to think about what plays out and motivated to discover the depths of the characters. A fun ride and worth the watch! Wish there was more quality programming like this.”
Itschris-48462 shared his thoughts: “I’m now beginning to question my own sanity! This show is absolute brilliance, the creators should be proud.”
He elaborated: “It’s fresh, fun and so on the edge of ‘What the heck is going on?’ Yet I don’t get completely lost, a feat not easy to pull off in film, I’m sure. The layers, the sets, the music, the acting, the craziness, brilliant!”
Legion can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus.
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**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website**
Tim Allan, who was in charge of Sir Keir Starmer’s communications until he resigned on Monday, has issued a statement, first published by The Times, in which he says he spoke to Lord Matthew Doyle about his connections to a sex offender before the now peer was offered seat in the Upper House.
Rain will fall as snow initially over higher ground before reaching to lower levels through Thursday night.
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Settling snow will mostly be seen above 200m with as much as 10cm possible.
The rain and snow are expected to clear south during the early hours of Friday, though temperatures will fall quickly to around 3 to 6C below the average.
This will lead to ice on untreated surfaces and dangerous road conditions in some places.
As dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases become more common worldwide, researchers are searching urgently for ways to protect the brain as we age. One area attracting growing attention is hormones, particularly the role of hormone therapy during and after menopause.
This interest is partly driven by the fact that women develop Alzheimer’s disease more often than men, especially after midlife, suggesting that hormonal changes around menopause may influence long-term brain health.
Our research has focused on tibolone, a synthetic form of hormone therapy prescribed to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and poor sleep. While it is commonly prescribed to ease menopausal symptoms, our findings suggest tibolone may also offer important protection for the brain.
In laboratory studies, tibolone helped brain cells survive under stressful conditions. These included reduced glucose use (glucose is the brain’s main fuel) and the build-up of saturated fats such as palmitic acid, which is often higher in people with obesity. Both reduced glucose use and excess saturated fat are known risk factors for cognitive decline and neurological diseases.
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Tibolone appears to protect brain cells in several ways. It activates protective proteins, reduces inflammation and limits damage from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules produced during normal energy production or when the body is exposed to pollution or cigarette smoke. They behave like tiny sparks inside cells, damaging structures unless neutralised.
This gap likely reflects a combination of genetic, hormonal and social factors. Certain genes, including the APOE ε4 variant, a version of a gene linked to how the brain processes fats and clears harmful proteins, are associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s. Other genes on the second X chromosome may also contribute. Differences in reproductive history, number of pregnancies and access to education and healthcare also play a role, because these factors influence lifelong brain health, cardiovascular risk and how early cognitive problems are detected and treated.
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However, hormonal changes around menopause appear to be especially important. When menstruation ends, levels of estradiol (the main form of oestrogen) fall sharply, while follicle-stimulating hormone rises. Both changes are linked to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
Many women experience the everyday effects of these shifts: forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, slower thinking, low mood, poor sleep and reduced motivation. Estradiol normally helps brain cells use energy efficiently. When levels drop, the brain uses glucose less effectively, producing a metabolic pattern similar to that seen in early Alzheimer’s.
Estradiol also helps regulate fat distribution and cholesterol. When it declines, women often gain visceral fat around the abdomen. This type of fat releases inflammatory chemicals that can damage blood vessels and the brain. The loss of estradiol’s natural anti-inflammatory effects further increases the risk of metabolic syndrome (a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure and insulin resistance), cognitive decline and dementia.
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Can hormone therapy help?
These findings have led researchers to ask whether hormone therapy might offset some of this risk.
Hormone therapy usually combines oestrogen and progesterone and is widely prescribed to relieve hot flashes, insomnia and mood changes. It can also improve mood and reduce depression, which indirectly supports cognitive health.
Until the early 2000s, millions of women used hormone therapy and reported benefits. Then, in 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) trial reported a higher risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular events in women taking combined hormones. Headlines warning that hormone therapy “increases cancer risk” led many women to stop treatment or avoid it altogether.
The WHI memory studies also found that starting hormone therapy at age 65 or older did not protect cognition and was linked to a higher risk of dementia. Later analyses revealed an important nuance: timing matters.
Lower lifetime exposure to oestrogen is linked to faster cognitive decline and greater build-up of Alzheimer’s-related changes in the brain. Women who enter menopause early (before about age 45 to 50) face higher risks of Alzheimer’s and more pronounced memory loss. Surgical menopause, caused by removal of both ovaries, leads to a sudden drop in oestrogen and can trigger noticeable problems with memory and attention, particularly in younger women.
Growing awareness of the link between menopause and brain health is beginning to shape public policy.
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In a landmark move, Ireland introduced a programme in June 2025 providing hormone therapy free of charge. Removing cost barriers allows women to start treatment earlier and continue it consistently, conditions that may maximise its benefits.
Elsewhere in Europe, access varies. In England, women who do not qualify for free NHS prescriptions can purchase an annual hormone therapy prepayment certificate for £19.80. Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while France and Spain partially reimburse costs through national insurance.
Given tibolone’s protective profile, reducing financial barriers could improve access and support larger clinical trials to test its effects on brain health.
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Hormone therapy is not a guaranteed way to prevent dementia. The strongest protection still comes from a broad approach: managing menopausal symptoms effectively, possibly with hormone therapy, while also controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, staying physically active, sleeping well and avoiding smoking.
Women face a higher lifetime risk of Alzheimer’s because of intertwined genetic, hormonal and social factors. Hormone therapy, particularly when started around menopause, may help protect cognitive function as well as relieve symptoms. Alongside a healthy lifestyle, it offers one promising tool for supporting brain health and narrowing the gender gap in dementia risk.
