Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit Tumbler Ridge on Friday to join mourners after one of Canada's deadliest mass shootings at the town's high school. Six children and an assistant teacher were killed, with the suspected shooter, 17-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.
Among the victims was 12-year-old Kylie Smith, remembered by her family as 'the light in our family'. Her father, Lance Younge, spent six hours searching for her after the attack. 'I went home not knowing where my daughter was until a high school kid came here and told us her story about trying to save my daughter's life,' he told CTV News.
Other victims include 12-year-old Zoey Benoit, described as 'resilient, vibrant, smart, caring and the strongest little girl', and 13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield. His grandfather, Peter Schofield, wrote on Facebook: 'Everything feels so surreal. The tears just keep flowing.' Abel Mwansa Sr, father of 12-year-old Abel Mwansa Jr, said he was 'broken' seeing his son's body 'lifeless'.
The assistant teacher killed was Shannda Aviugana-Durand, 39. The suspect's mother, Jennifer Jacobs, 39, and 11-year-old stepbrother Emmett Jacobs were found dead at the family home. Police had attended the residence multiple times over mental health concerns and weapons, with firearms seized two years ago but later returned to the lawful owner.
Trent Ernst, publisher of the local newspaper, highlighted a lack of mental health services in the remote town, over 1,000km from Vancouver. 'There are times where we'll go months, if not years, without having anybody in mental health services in town,' he said. Mourners gathered in freezing temperatures on Wednesday night, with Mayor Darryl Krakowka telling them, 'It's OK to cry.'
