The British Columbia government said Thursday, Feb. 12 will be proclaimed as a day of mourning in the province, after this week’s deadly shootings in Tumbler Ridge.
“The horrific shooting and tragic loss of life in Tumbler Ridge have devastated this small community and impacted people across B.C., Canada and around the world,” said a joint statement released Wednesday Government House Leader Mike Farnworth, Official Opposition House Leader Á’a:líya Warbus, and B.C. Greens House Leader Rob Botterell.
The statement said the legislative assembly will stand for a moment of silence at noon in honour of the victims.
The planned Throne Speech won’t go ahead on Thursday. Instead, B.C.’s Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia will deliver a speech in the house dedicated to the people of Tumbler Ridge. That will be followed by brief legally required procedures ahead of the opening of the spring session of Parliament.
“The people of British Columbia mourn together with the people of Tumbler Ridge. We are united and will continue to ensure every possible support for community members in the coming days,” the leaders said.
RCMP said nine people were killed, including the suspect, in Tuesday’s shootings at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a home in the northeastern B.C. community.
The victims of the shooting at the school include a 39-year-old female teacher, three 12-year-old girls and two boys aged 12 and 13.
Police said the suspect’s 39-year-old mother and and 11-year-old step-brother were also found dead at a local home.
The suspect is identified as 18-year-old Tumbler Ridge resident Jesse Van Rootselaar. Police said she was among those found dead at the school and two firearms were recovered from the scene. Police have not provided a motive for the shootings.
RCMP said a 12-year-old girl and a 19-year-old woman remain in serious condition in hospital.
Premier David Eby visited Tumbler Ridge Wednesday afternoon, along with B.C. Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger and her federal counterpart, Gary Anandasangaree.
“The full extent of what has happened has not sunk in. And there are going to be some long days, weeks and months ahead,” Eby said at Tumbler Ridge Town Hall.
“For the parents, for the families, for the people of Tumbler Ridge, all of us here will make sure that the supports are here, knowing that they will never be adequate for what you’re going through,” he said.
Anandasangaree said all levels of government are working to ensure the community is supported.
B.C. Conservative interim leader Trevor Halford and Larry Neufeld, MLA for Peace River South, said in a joint statement the impact of the shootings is being felt by everyone.
“My heart is broken for the province, for the people of Tumbler Ridge, for the parents, the students, the teachers, and the first responders,” said Halford.
Neufeld said he travelled to Tumbler Ridge from Victoria as soon as he heard of the incident.
Condolences have poured in for the community from across Canada and around the world.
“The nation mourns with you. Canada stands by you,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Parliament Hill Wednesday morning. He said the flags on the Peace Tower in Ottawa and at all government buildings would be flown at half-mast for the next seven days.
King Charles also issued a statement, saying he and Queen Camilla were “profoundly shocked and saddened” to learn of the shootings.
“In such a closely connected town, every child’s name will be known and every family will be a neighbor,” said the King. “We can only begin to imagine the appalling shadow that has now descended across Tumbler Ridge and our hearts go out to all those whose lives have been shattered by this senseless act of brutal violence.”
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said in a social media post on Wednesday, “Our hearts and prayers are with the community of Tumbler Ridge and all of British Columbia today.”
The leaders of Australia, Germany, France, Ukraine, India and other countries around the globe also issued statements sharing their condolences.
