Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to the remote British Columbia town of Tumbler Ridge on Friday to attend a vigil for victims of one of the country’s deadliest mass shootings, his office said.
According to police, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar fatally shot her mother and stepbrother on Tuesday before opening fire at a local school, killing a teacher and five young students. The accused later died by suicide.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said Carney would attend the vigil on February 13 at the invitation of Tumbler Ridge’s mayor and had invited leaders of other political parties to join him in paying tribute to the victims.
The tragedy has shaken the small community of around 2,400 residents in the Canadian Rockies. Across Tumbler Ridge, flowers and stuffed animals have been placed at informal memorial sites.
“Hold your kids tight, tell them you love them every day. You never know,” Lance Young, father of 12-year-old victim Kylie Smith, told reporters.
Authorities said they are still investigating the motive behind the attack. Police confirmed they had previously visited Van Rootselaar’s home on multiple occasions in connection with mental health concerns and had twice taken her for formal assessments.
David Eby, Premier of British Columbia, said he had contacted local health officials to seek more details about prior interactions with the accused. Police also disclosed that firearms had at one point been seized from the residence but were later returned after a successful appeal by the owner.
British Columbia observed an official day of mourning on Thursday. Wendy Cocchia, the province’s lieutenant-governor and representative of Charles III in Canada, is expected to address the legislature in honour of the victims.
Investigations are ongoing as the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the violence.
