Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, is reeling from a mass shooting that left nine people dead, including six children. Local pastor Tracy Krauss expressed that the community, once insulated from such violence, is now faced with a painful reality: We've been insulated. A newcomer comes to town and they're locking up, and everyone laughs, because why are you doing that? Nothing happens here. That sense of security now feels painfully naïve.
Victims identified include 12-year-old Zoey Benoit, remembered as the strongest little girl you could meet, and Kylie Smith, who aspired to attend art school. A memorial has formed at the school, where the shooting occurred, with flowers and notes honoring those lost.
This incident represents one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canada, sparking national outrage and grief. Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit the town, reflecting widespread support flowing in from across the country.
The suspect, Jesse Van Rootselaar, is believed to have killed his mother and step-brother before moving to the school. His family, well-known in the community, now faces their own mourning. In the aftermath, questions are being raised about mental health support and gun legislation, with Tumbler Ridge officials emphasizing the community's focus on healing.
As residents, still in shock, begin to process their grief, many vow to remember Tumbler Ridge not for this tragedy, but for its beauty and the strength of its community.
