Conservative MPs call for federal inquiry into Tumbler Ridge tragedy

Flowers are placed in a barricade pylon on a road leading to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Three members of parliament representing British Columbia ridings are urging the federal government to call an independent public inquiry into the killing spree in the remote community of Tumbler Ridge last month.

Speaking to reporters in Vancouver, the politicians expressed solidarity and support for the families who’ve lost loved ones and their support for a probe under the federal Inquiries Act.

When CTV News asked what they envisioned an independent inquiry would look like and whether they wanted it to take place in B.C. or Ottawa, they public safety critic said he was open to different options.

“I think those things are yet to be determined (and) far be it for me to say who should lead this,” said Frank Caputo of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo. “I think that we need to hear input from those who have been impacted and the location can be determined from there, the scope can be determined from there.”

Premier David Eby has already committed to a public inquiry or coroner’s inquest into the Feb. 10 shootings by Jesse Van Rootselaar. The victims included her mother, half brother, a teacher, and five students at the local school.

Related: Eby says it looks like OpenAI could have prevented ‘horrific’ Tumbler Ridge killings

Flanked by MPs Bob Zimmer and Jeff Kibbe, Caputo said he and his Conservative colleagues want another probe, separate from the RCMP and one that would be “an independent inquiry from any coroner’s impact or other inquiries or investigations” that would leave “no rock unturned” when it came to access to firearms, mental health supports the shooter may have received, and the role of AI in Van Rootselaar’s life.

Last week, the federal Artificial Intelligence Minister met with representatives from OpenAI to discuss the company’s failure to warn law enforcement about Van Rootselaar’s ChatGPT account, which had been flagged and banned over disturbing activity including gun violence scenarios.

Related: ChatGPT account linked to B.C. mass shooter banned for violating policy, company says