The brother of a 12-year-old girl killed in a deadly school shooting in Canada made a chilling call to his parents while hiding from the attacker, as revealed in a heart-rending interview by the grieving family. Kylie Smith was one of eight innocent victims murdered by 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who opened fire in the library of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia before turning the gun on herself.
Horror Unfolds in Remote Community
The shooting occurred in the remote town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, where Van Rootselaar first shot her own parents before killing a female teacher, three girls, and two boys aged between 13 and 17. The attack has devastated the small, close-knit community where such violence was considered unthinkable.
Brother's Terrifying Communication
Kylie's parents, Lance Younge and Jenny Geary, described how their 15-year-old son Ethan sent them an alarming text message saying "I love you" followed by a call at approximately 3:05 PM. "He called and said he was in a utility room and that he was hiding and that he didn't know where Kylie was," Jenny Geary revealed to CTV News.
Lance Younge recalled dropping both children off at school that morning, unaware it would be the last time he would see his daughter alive. "I let her go to school with her brother, Ethan, in the morning I had soaked in that moment watching them walk in the door together for whatever reason and I didn't know it would be the last time they'd go to school together," he said emotionally.
Chaotic Aftermath and Community Response
Following the mass shooting, Lance described the chaotic scene as he searched for his daughter for approximately six hours around the community recreation center. He expressed frustration with the police response, claiming authorities provided little information to families. "The police didn't tell us anything, we had to find out through the community and through kids and rumours," he stated.
Eventually, a high school student approached the family with information about attempting to save Kylie's life, providing some closure about their daughter's final moments.
Remembering Kylie Smith
The family shared touching tributes to their daughter, who was just three months away from her 13th birthday. "She was just a beautiful soul, she's a light in our family," Lance said. "She loved art and anime, she wanted to go to school in Toronto. We just loved her so much, she was thriving in high school, she never hurt a soul, she was a supporter, LGBTQ supporter. She was just the last person who ever deserved this."
Community Devastation
Jenny Geary emphasized the impact on their small community, saying, "It's a small community, we all know each other. This is so devastating not only to our family but to so many other families. We live here because these things don't happen."
The motive behind the shocking shooting remains unclear as investigations continue. Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the tragedy, stating, "Parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love. The nation mourns with you, and Canada stands by you."
The family's heartbreaking account highlights the human toll of school violence and the importance of remembering victims over perpetrators. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact such tragedies have on families and communities, particularly in places where violence is least expected.
