Dozens gathered on the lawn of the BC Legislature Wednesday night to mourn the victims of the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, as candles flickered beneath the Legislature dome.
“It’s hard.”
The words could be heard across the grounds as Speaker Raj Chouhan fought back tears while addressing the crowd.
“Nobody ever imagined that something this tragic could happen in a town like Tumbler Ridge, where kids are sent to school to learn,” he said.
“They were in the classroom getting ready for a brighter future.”
As of Wednesday, RCMP have confirmed nine people were killed and 27 injured in Tuesday’s shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a residence connected to the suspect.
Among the dead were a 39-year-old educator, three 12-year-old female students and two male students aged 12 and 13. Two additional victims were found at a residence, the mother and step-brother of the suspect.
RCMP identified the suspect as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who police say was found dead inside the school from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Among the young victims was 12-year-old Kylie Smith, who had close ties to Vancouver Island. A GoFundMe campaign launched by her aunt has raised more than $20,000 to support the family.
“We are completely devastated and have no words as we try to process the magnitude of the situation,” her aunt wrote. “Their world, our world, has crumbled.”
During the vigil, mourners lit candles and observed a moment of silence for those who lost their lives, many of them just 12 and 13-years-old.
At one point, “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton played softly through speakers as attendees stood shoulder to shoulder.
Chouhan asked those gathered to turn and hug someone nearby.
He also reflected on other mass tragedies in Canada, including the École Polytechnique shooting in Montreal, the attack at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City, the Saskatchewan stabbings and the Lapu-Lapu Festival tragedy in Vancouver.
“It’s just unbelievable when these tragic incidents happen,” he said. “We try to heal ourselves. We think we got over that and we are stronger, that we can handle this. But something like this happens again, it rips us apart. It’s going to be hard to get over that.”
The vigil came as the province altered its legislative calendar in response to the tragedy. This week’s Throne Speech has been cancelled and Thursday, February 12th has been proclaimed a provincial day of mourning.
In a joint statement, Government House Leader Mike Farnworth, Official Opposition House Leader Á’a:líya Warbus and BC Greens House Leader Rob Botterell said the “horrific shooting and tragic loss of life” has devastated the small northeastern BC community and impacted people across the province and country.
At noon Thursday, the legislative assembly will observe a moment of silence before adjourning. Instead of the Throne Speech, the lieutenant governor will deliver remarks dedicated to the people of Tumbler Ridge.
Premier David Eby and Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger travelled to the community to meet with those impacted. The province says mental-health and victim-services professionals have been mobilized to support residents.
For those needing support in BC, the Mental Health Support line can be reached at 310-6789. Kids Help Phone is available by texting 686868.
Photos from the evening captured by Colin Smith:
