B.C. RCMP identifies victims of Tumbler Ridge shooting

The RCMP have identified all eight victims of the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

British Columbia is observing an official day of mourning to honour the victims. Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit the small northeastern B.C. town tomorrow. The community of only 2,400 people gathered for a vigil last night to grieve together.

The RCMP have identified the following eight victims:

• 12-year-old Abel Mwansa;
• 13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield;
• 12-year-old Ticaria Lampert;
• 39-year-old teacher Shannda Aviugana-Durand;
• 12-year-old Zoey Benoit
• 12-year-old Kylie Smith

Benoit’s family says she “was so resilient, vibrant, smart, caring and the strongest little girl you could meet.”

Smith’s family also added she “was a talented artist and had dreams of going to art school in the big city of Toronto.”

Police also identified the shooter’s mother and step brother as 11-year-old Emmett Jacobs and 39-year-old Jennifer Jacobs, who they say she killed at the family home.

Twelve-year-old Maya Gebala was also shot and identified yesterday by her mother. She survived and is in stable but critical condition in a Vancouver hospital. Her mother wrote on Facebook that the young girl needs a miracle.

B.C. legislature held a moment of silence to pay tribute to the dead and injured. It’s an official province-wide day of mourning following an emotional vigil last night in the town where hundreds gathered.

“Let us hold in our hearts all the families and loved ones who are forever changed in Tumbler Ridge,” said Kelly Greene, B.C.’s minister of emergency management and climate readiness.

“It is so important when we see a tragedy like this with young lives lost, families don’t have their children coming home last night,” said Tumbler Ridge Mayor, Darryl Krakowka.

Tumbler Ridge’s mayor became emotional as he thanked other levels of government for quickly delivering mental health counselors to the remote community. The premier put his hand on the mayor’s shoulder to console him.

“Our main goal, our priority, is ensuring those families have the supports that they need in the immediate term and going forward in Tumbler Ridge,” said B.C. Premier David Eby.

“I know the people of Tumbler Ridge have a lot of questions, and the families have a lot of questions about contacts with the mental health system, about the guns. My commitment to British Columbians is any questions that the police are unable to answer through the criminal investigation, we’ll ensure are answered through the processes available to us as a province.”

“The acts of violence occurred have shaken this community to its core, they have shaken British Columbia, Canada and the entire world,” said Nina Krieger, B.C. Minister of Public Safety.

“There’s no words that I can say that will bring their children back, but what we can say is that as a country we are with you,” Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety of Canada.

The RCMP say the shooter was 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who killed herself after carrying out the mass shooting. Police say she had a history of mental illness and have not yet explained how she accessed the long gun and handgun recovered from the school. Nine people died, including the shooter, and 27 more were injured.

All of Canada’s federal party leaders will travel to Tumbler Ridge tomorrow for another vigil.

This mass shooting is one of the deadliest to ever occur in Canada.

READ MORE: Police identify Tumbler Ridge, B.C. shooter, country in mourning