Bold opening: A small town is shaken to its core by a devastating shooting, and the ache of loss lingers long after the sirens fade. But the full story is about more than tragedy—it’s about memory, community, and the questions we face together. Here is a rewritten, fully unique retelling that preserves all essential facts and details while clarifying context for newcomers.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is planning to join mourners in Tumbler Ridge on Friday, as officials and relatives release the identities of the six children and one assistant teacher who were killed in a high school shooting in the remote mining community. Carney will take part in a candlelight vigil to honor the victims, and he has invited leaders from across the political spectrum to attend alongside him. The vigil marks what authorities say is the country’s deadliest mass shooting in years.
Among the victims was 12-year-old Kylie Smith, whose family described her as “the light in our family.” In a statement, they shared that she loved her family, loved school, and was a talented artist with dreams of studying art in Toronto. Her family asked for prayers and said they would forever feel her absence.
Kylie’s father, Lance Younge, spoke about a long, anxious search for his daughter. He spent six hours at the local recreation center as students reunited with their families, trying to learn what had happened. Younge told CTV News that he returned home without knowing where his daughter was until a high school student came forward with information about her attempt to save Kylie’s life.
Zoey Benoit, 12, is remembered by her family as resilient, vibrant, smart, caring, and the strongest little girl you could meet. The family of Ezekiel Schofield, 13, shared grief in a Facebook post by Peter Schofield, who wrote that everything feels unreal and tears keep flowing.
Abel Mwansa Sr. described his son, Abel Mwansa Jr., as a boy with a bright future who appeared joyful as he left for school. Mwansa said he imagined his son becoming a leader, engineer, or scientist, and that seeing him leave the house with a smile broke his heart.
Sarah Lampert remembered her 12-year-old daughter Ticaria as someone who sought to bring sunshine to everyone she touched, and she admitted she now faces life without her daughter.
Authorities confirmed the remaining victim as 39-year-old assistant teacher Shannda Aviugana-Durand on Thursday.
The shooter’s family circumstances reveal further tragedy: the suspect’s mother, Jennifer Jacobs—also known as Jennifer Strang—and an 11-year-old stepbrother, Emmett Jacobs, were found dead at a nearby family home. The suspected shooter, identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, was located at the school with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police say they had been summoned to the suspect’s home multiple times in recent years as concerns about mental health and access to weapons arose. RCMP deputy commissioner Dwayne McDonald noted that the residence had been visited on several occasions under mental health provisions, with at least one instance involving weapons. Firearms had previously been seized, though they were later returned to the lawful owner after a petition.
The suspect held a firearms license that had expired in 2024, and there were no firearms registered in the person’s name, according to police.
Trent Ernst, publisher of the local biweekly, Tumbler RidgeLines, highlighted a major community frustration: limited access to medical and mental health services in the town, which sits over 1,000 kilometers (about 600 miles) northeast of Vancouver. He pointed out that, despite five mental health nurses in town, the area frequently experiences long gaps without such services.
Mourners faced freezing temperatures as they gathered to honor the victims. Mayor Darryl Krakowka urged people to grieve openly, saying it’s okay to cry. He described Tumbler Ridge as a close-knit family and encouraged ongoing support for the families affected, insisting that the community must stand by them long after the immediate aftermath fades.
This report combines reporting from the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
Thought-provoking question for readers: In light of this tragedy and the reported gaps in local mental health resources, what concrete steps should small towns take to ensure sustainable mental health support and safer communities—without overreaching civil liberties or local autonomy? Share your perspectives below.
