The last 10 months have seen two of the worst tragedies in B.C. history – the April 26, 2025 Lapu-Lapu Day vehicle attack which took 11 lives and injured many more, and now the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge that left nine people dead, including the shooter.
There are no words that will heal the pain felt by family and community members when such a tragedy strikes.
Grief and public mourning are the only appropriate responses. This collective sorrow should prompt us to collective action.
It has been gratifying in the days after the latest tragedy to see the vast majority of our political leaders put aside partisanship, and instead come together to offer support to the people of Tumbler Ridge. We have also seen grassroots expressions of sorrow from British Columbians and Canadians everywhere, in the form of messages on social media and in-person vigils and memorials.
Tumbler Ridge’s Mayor Darryl Krakowka described the community of 2,400 people as “one big family,” and has been in tears as he has spoken about the impact locally. Krakowka, of course, knew victims and their families personally. Everyone in the town is in the same position.
This will not be an easy thing for the town to get past. The school, a building that is one of the major centres of any community, sits empty and students will not be returning for some time, if ever.
The people of Tumbler Ridge will need our support, both now and in the coming months and years.
People are very good at immediate support in the wake of a tragedy. After the first responders have ensured physical safety and seen to the injured, counsellors are on hand. Websites and phone numbers for mental health resources are shared widely.
But society’s goal with Tumbler Ridge’s community, and with the families of the Lapu-Lapu Day families and survivors, has to be long term.
Before the day of the attack, Tumbler Ridge already had concerns about a lack of general medical care. In a small town, specialized care, including mental health care, can be hard to come by.
If something positive is to come from this tragedy and others like it, it should be an acknowledgement that British Columbians do want to support one another during the hardest times. We are capable of making small sacrifices so that everyone has access to the supports they need.
We should all be able to feel supported by our communities, by our towns, by our province, and by our health systems.
From non-profits and faith-based groups to health authorities, support can’t be something only granted when tragedy strikes. It ought to be a safety net for those in distress every day, month, and year to come.
– M.C.