A 12-year-old girl with close ties to Vancouver Island has been identified as one of the students killed in Tuesday’s mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
BC RCMP confirmed that nine people, including the suspect, died in the attack, while two others remain in serious condition.
Police said the deceased victims at the school include a 39-year-old female educator, three 12-year-old female students and two male students aged 12 and 13.
The girl’s aunt, Shanon Dycke, identified her niece as Kylie May in a public GoFundMe created to support the family.
“Yesterday our family received the gut-wrenching news that our beautiful Kylie May was confirmed to be one of the victims,” Dycke wrote.
“She was just 12 years old. We are completely devastated and have no words as we try to process the magnitude of the situation.”
According to the fundraiser, Kylie’s immediate family is located on Vancouver Island. Her mother recently moved back to Vancouver Island after living in Tumbler Ridge for nearly 12 years.
Dycke said the funds will support Kylie’s mother, her brother and other close family members with travel costs and expenses in the coming weeks and months. The family also plans to use the funds toward a memorial, as determined by her parents.
“Their world, our world, has crumbled,” Dycke wrote, adding her heart aches for the other families affected by the tragedy.
RCMP said officers responded to reports of an active shooter at the school at approximately 1:20 p.m. Officers arrived within two minutes and encountered active gunfire as they approached.
The suspect, identified by police as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, was located deceased inside the school with what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury.
Two firearms — a long gun and a modified handgun — were recovered at the scene. Police said determining their origin and how they were used remains part of the active investigation.
Two additional victims — a 39-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy — were found deceased at a residence connected to the suspect. They have been identified as the mother and sibling of the suspect.
RCMP Major Crime has taken conduct of the investigation. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Support services remain available at the Tumbler Ridge Community Centre for those affected.
As of this publication, $9,765 raised of the $15,000 goal has been raised.
