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Canadian leaders came together Friday in a rare show of unity to comfort the grieving community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, following one of the deadliest mass shootings in the country’s history.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre held hands during an Indigenous prayer ceremony outside the town hall, setting aside political differences to support a community in mourning. The solemn vigil drew hundreds of residents, many clutching photographs of loved ones lost in the tragedy.
In an emotional address, Carney individually named each victim killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday and acknowledged that the shooter’s mother and young stepbrother, who were also killed, “deserve to be mourned.”
“When you wake up tomorrow, and the world feels impossible, know that millions of Canadians are with you. When the cameras leave and the quiet sets in — know that we will still be here,” Carney told the assembled crowd, after having spent time with families directly affected by the shooting.
The attack, which claimed eight lives including the shooter, began when 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar allegedly killed her 39-year-old mother, Jennifer Jacobs, and 11-year-old stepbrother, Emmett Jacobs, at their home before proceeding to the nearby school.
At the school, Van Rootselaar killed five children and an educator before taking her own life. The victims were identified as 12-year-olds Kylie Smith, Abel Mwansa, Zoey Benoit and Ticaria Lampert, 13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield, and 39-year-old assistant teacher Shannda Aviugana-Durand.
Two others — 12-year-old Maya Gebala and 19-year-old Paige Hoekstra — sustained gunshot wounds and remain hospitalized in Vancouver.
Dwayne McDonald, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia, provided new details about the attack earlier on Friday, describing a harrowing scene where the shooter appeared to be “hunting” rather than targeting specific individuals.
“This suspect was, for lack of a better term, hunting,” McDonald said. “They were prepared and engaging anybody and everybody they could come in contact with.”
McDonald recounted the chaotic situation officers encountered upon arrival at the school, with fire alarms blaring and someone shouting that the suspect was upstairs. When police entered the stairwell, they were met with gunfire.
“It was a matter of seconds after that there was more gunfire, not as we know now, having reviewed video, directed at any persons. Then the suspect took their life,” McDonald explained, emphasizing that no additional students were injured after police arrived on scene.
Authorities seized four firearms in total — two from the family’s home and two from the school.
British Columbia Premier David Eby made a significant pledge to the traumatized students, promising they would never be forced to return to the site of the tragedy.
“I will promise that not one of you will ever be forced to go back to that school. We will provide a safe place for you to go back to school,” Eby assured the community.
This attack marks Canada’s deadliest mass shooting since 2020, when a gunman in Nova Scotia killed 22 people in a rampage that included multiple shootings and arson.
School shootings remain relatively rare in Canada, which has implemented strict gun-control laws over the years. The Canadian government has consistently responded to mass shootings with strengthened regulations, including a recently expanded ban on weapons classified as assault-style firearms.
The tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, a small community of about 2,400 residents in northeastern British Columbia, has reignited discussions about mental health resources, school safety protocols, and gun control measures across the country.
During the vigil, Carney highlighted how the community’s spirit had shown through even in its darkest hour. “When the unimaginable happened on Tuesday, you were there again. First responders at the school within two minutes. Teachers shielding their children,” he said, praising the swift response that likely prevented additional casualties.
As national leaders flew back to Ottawa, the people of Tumbler Ridge began the long process of healing while a nation watches and mourns alongside them.
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7 Comments
Carney and Poilievre setting aside their differences to support the grieving families is an admirable display of leadership. Moments like these remind us of our common humanity, even in the face of unspeakable loss.
Absolutely. In times of crisis, we need our elected officials to rise above partisanship and provide comfort and guidance to the people they serve.
While it’s tragic that such events continue to occur, the shared moment of grief between Carney and Poilievre is a reminder that we are all human, regardless of political affiliation.
It’s heartening to see political adversaries come together in a time of tragedy. The vigil for the victims of the Tumbler Ridge shooting must have been a powerful moment of unity and healing for the community.
This is a somber story, but the show of unity between the Prime Minister and Opposition leader is a heartening sign. Moments like these can help bring a community together in the face of unimaginable loss.
The details of the shooting are truly heartbreaking. I hope the community of Tumbler Ridge can find solace and strength in each other as they work through this tragedy.
Agreed. Carney’s acknowledgment of the shooter’s family members as deserving of mourning was a compassionate touch. Empathy and understanding will be crucial in the healing process.