A crowd of people gathered in Langley City’s Douglas Park Sunday for a candlelight vigil and moment of silence to honour the victims of the Tumbler Ridge shootings and the memory of Zoey Benoit, who studied at a local school.
Vigil for victims of Tumbler Ridge shooting was held in Langley City, where one used to attend school. pic.twitter.com/sSlpiZckFW
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) February 16, 2026
As the service drew to a close, teacher Emily Huang described Zoe to those present with a poem.
“Twirling dresses the colors of cotton candy. Wind swept hair, remnants of lunch, tucked in the corners of your wide smile. That’s you, Zoe,” Huang said.
“It’s how I remember you. Dancing, singing, the world your audience, painting, drawing, the world your canvas. Hugging and laughing and even arguing and everything, your passion. A passion not extinguished, only divided among all of us.”
Members of both Langley councils and other dignitaries were present at the event, which was organized by Natasha Fisher and Karelle Broyles.
“We just met each other in person yesterday,” Broyles told the Langley Advance Times.
“We were just connected over Facebook and said, there should be a vigil. We love these people, and so we said, let’s do it.”
Fisher began the vigil by warning the impact of the tragedy would “ripple through individuals, families, schools, and entire communities long after the moment has passed.”
“Tonight, we acknowledge that pain, the shock, the fear, the grief, and we stand beside one another in strength, compassion, and hope as healing begins, one step at a time,” Fisher said.
Broyles said she has family living in Tumbler Ridge who have three children, two in the high school and one in elementary school.
“They were present in the school when this horrific event unfolded,” Broyles said.
“They also know those who have passed away, as well as those who are injured.”
When she read out the names, Broyles began with Zoe.
“We want to hold all of these in our hearts,” she said.
“We want to tell their families, their siblings and their parents, their grandmothers and grandfathers, and all who have been affected by this, that we won’t forget. We will keep them close in our hearts and prayers.”
After a traditional First Nations song ws performed by singers Donovan and Helena, Aldergrove singer Alyssa Nielsen sang O Canada.
There was a moment of silence, then Vancouver Township councillor Tim Baillie played Amazing Grace with his bagpipes.