In wake of the Tumbler Ridge shooting, many support services are available to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 310-Mental Health Support at 310-6789; Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868; Suicide Crisis Helpline: 988; KUU-US (Indigenous) Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717; Métis Crisis Line: 1-833-638-4722; Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868.
B.C. RCMP have released the names and ages of the victims in the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge on Feb. 10.
Eight people, ranging in age from 11 to 39 years old, were killed in two locations on Tuesday in the small northeastern B.C. community. The suspected shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, died of a “self-inflicted injury” and was found inside the school.
In a release Thursday, RCMP say that in consultation with the families names, photos of six of the victims and personal statements for two of the victims were “shared to honour the lives lost.”
“The RCMP is facilitating the release of these materials to support healing and help the community move forward together.”
Six victims were killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, while two others were found dead at a home in the community. Police have said investigators believe the suspect killed the two at the home on Fellers Avenue before heading to the school.
@todayinbc BC RCMP has officially confirmed the names of the eight victims killed in the February 10th Tumbler Ridge shooting. In consultation with the families, photos and personal statements are being shared to honour the lives lost. Abel Mwansa, Ezekiel Schofield, Kylie Smith, Zoey Benoit, Ticaria Lampert, and teacher Shannda Aviugana-Durand were killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Eleven-year-old Emmett Jacobs and his mother Jennifer Jacobs were killed at their home on Fellers Avenue. The RCMP asks the public to respect the families' need for privacy as Tumbler Ridge begins the long road to healing. #TumblerRidge #RCMP #SchoolShooting #BreakingNews #BritishColumbia #JesseVanRootselaar #TumblerRidgeSecondary #BCSchools #BCNews #CanadaNews #NortheastBC #peacecountryventures #MassShooting #PublicSafety #SchoolSafety #BCRCMPUpdate #TumblerRidgeShooting #CanadianNews #GunViolence #SchoolViolence ♬ original sound – Today In BC
The victims at the home are 11-year-old Emmett Jacobs and 39-year-old Jennifer Jacobs, the stepbrother and mother of Van Roostelaar.
The victims from the high school are 12-year-old Abel Mwansa, 13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield, 12-year-old Kylie Smith, 12-year-old Zoey Benoit, 12-year-old Ticaria Lampert and 39-year-old educator Shannda Aviugana-Durand.
Family also shared personal statements for Zoey and Kylie.
“Our beautiful Zoey, our daughter, sister, niece, grand daughter and friend. She was so resilient, vibrant, smart, caring and the strongest little girl you could meet. She brought so much laughter and smiles in her presence. She loved spending time with her family where she could show her love. Our family is devastated by this loss, but we will cherish her memories with us so close to our hearts forever. She will forever be loved and never forgotten. We miss you beautiful girl, Zoey we love you so much,” family said of Zoey.
“Kylie was the light in our family. She loved her family, friends, and going to school. She was a talented artist and had dreams of going to art school in the big city of Toronto. Rest in paradise, sweet girl, our family will never be the same without you,” says the statement from Kylie’s family.
RCMP said in the release that as the community continues to process the profound loss, “it remains essential that the focus stays on the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy.” It adds that “should circumstances change or should additional photos or statements become available, updates will be provided accordingly.”
RCMP added the families and loved ones of those who died are requesting privacy and time to grieve.
Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka issued a similar request Wednesday night following a vigil.
“My biggest thing I’d like to say to the community of the family we have here is lend your ear when somebody needs your ear, lend your shoulder when somebody needs your shoulder, give somebody a hug.”
READ MORE: ‘One big family’: Tumbler Ridge mayor calls for continued support after shooting
He asked people and media in Tumbler Ridge to give space to the people grieving.
In addition to the nine people dead, 27 others were injured at the school. Two were airlifted to hospital with serious or life-threatening injuries, while the other 25 were assessed and triaged at the local medical centre for non-life-threatening injuries.
About 100 people – staff and students – were evacuated. Tumbler Ridge Secondary School is home to about 160 students from grades 7 to 12.