Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke about the principle of grace at an emotional vigil in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., for the victims of the Feb. 10 mass shooting.
Six children between the ages of 11 and 13, and two women died in the shootings at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a home in the small, northeastern B.C. community.
Carney told those gathered at the vigil that the people of Tumbler Ridge care for each other. He pointed to stories of first responders who rushed to the school within minutes of gunfire being reported and teachers who shielded their students during the shooting.
“This is grace. It’s what we do for each other. It’s what we receive from each other: open hearts when the word falls apart,” he said. “Tumbler Ridge is full of grace this evening.”
Carney said Canadians will be there to support those grieving after the tragedy.
Carney was among a host of federal and provincial leaders who travelled to Tumbler Ridge to attend the vigil.
Governor General Mary Simon said the victims made a lasting mark on the community.
“Your memories of them will continue to shine brightly through this dark time,” said Simon.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said all parties put political affiliations aside to mourn with the community of Tumbler Ridge.
“We are all today Tumbler Ridge strong,” he said.
Premier David Eby returned to Tumbler Ridge for the vigil after a previous visit earlier in the week. He was joined by B.C. Conservative leader Trevor Halford and B.C. Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote in a show of cross-party unity.
Eby became emotional as he told the story of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School teacher Mark Deeley, who barricaded the classroom door to protect students during the shooting, despite knowing his own son was outside the classroom in the washroom.
He said Deeley and two students helped perform first aid for a student who had been critically injured in the hallway.
“What they did is emblematic of this town,” said Eby. “In those heroic actions are the seeds of the recovery of this community, because the future of Tumbler Ridge is in that school.”
He said the province will work with the school board to ensure students won’t need to return to the building where the shooting happened.
Two victims, 12-year-old Maya Gebala and 19-year-old Paige Hoekstra, remain in hospital.
RCMP said the suspected shooter, 18-year-old Tumbler Ridge resident Jesse Van Rootselaar, died of a self-inflicted wound at the school.
Police said the two people found dead at the home were her mother, 39-year-old Jennifer Jacobs, and he step-brother, 11-year-old Emmett Jacobs.
Anyone affected by the tragedy can contact the 24-hour Crisis Services Canada line at 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 for support, or call the 24-hour B.C. crisis line at 310-6789 to connect with support. No area code is required.
