Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joined hands with opposition leader Pierre Poilievre and Governor General Mary Simon at a candlelight vigil in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, to mourn the eight victims of a mass shooting at a local school. The event, held on a cold evening, drew nearly 2,000 residents holding candles as leaders paid tribute to the deceased.
The shooting occurred on Tuesday at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where an 18-year-old transgender woman killed five students and a teacher after fatally shooting her mother and stepbrother at home. The attacker then took her own life. Police identified the victims as Kylie Smith, Abel Mwansa, Zoey Benoit, Ticaria Lampert, Ezekiel Schofield and educator Shannda Aviugana-Durand. Two wounded individuals, Maya Gebala, 12, and Paige Hoekstra, 19, remain hospitalized in Vancouver.
In his address, Carney said, 'I know that nothing I can say will bring your children home... no words from me or anyone can fill the silence in your homes tonight.' He assured the community they were not alone, stating, 'Canada is a community that relies on each other’s grace.' Earlier in the day, leaders met with victims' families at a memorial outside the school, with both Carney and Poilievre visibly emotional.
Poilievre set aside political differences, declaring, 'Today, there are no Conservatives. There are no Liberals... We are all just mothers and fathers.' He praised Carney's 'tremendous grace.' British Columbia Premier David Eby highlighted acts of heroism, including a teacher who barricaded students in a classroom despite his own son being outside. Eby promised that no student would be forced to return to the school.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald described the attacker as 'hunting' without a specific target, leading to a chaotic scene. Police entered the school and exchanged gunfire before the suspect took their own life. Mayor Darryl Krakowka urged the community to 'make space' for each other, acknowledging the difficult path ahead but praising their resilience.
