The secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, that was the site of a deadly mass shooting in February will be torn down, officials announced. Nine people were killed and dozens injured when 18-year-old former student Jesse Van Rootselaar opened fire during a school day.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said the decision to demolish the school followed meetings with survivors, families and community members. 'We want to make sure we're doing things right by the survivors, by the families, by the people of Tumbler Ridge,' he told reporters. 'The school board heard overwhelmingly that the students, the educators, the staff and others wanted to move to a new location.'
The shooter was found dead from a self-inflicted injury. Police discovered six victims inside the school and two more – the shooter's sibling and mother – at a residence linked to him. The attack left the country emotionally shattered.
The school has remained closed since the shooting, with students attending classes in portable classrooms on the grounds. Demolition will take place over the summer, and a new school will be built in a different part of the remote mountain town. Eby said the federal government has committed to helping fund the project.
Eby praised the community's 'heroism', 'courage' and 'resilience' in the months since the tragedy, and pledged to ensure 'that the kids of Tumbler Ridge have a safe, comfortable and healing place to return to school'.
