Tumbler Ridge mass shooting: Who are the victims?
Eight people were killed last week in a mass shooting at a school and home in the remote rural community of Tumbler Ridge in the western province of British Columbia.
Six people were killed and at least 25 others were injured at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. The suspect, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, was found dead at that scene from a self-inflicted gunshot injury, police said.
Two others – the suspect’s mother, 39, and step-brother, 11 – were also found dead at a nearby home.
The attack
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said they received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at 13:30 local time on Tuesday (20:30 GMT).
The police responded by deploying officers to the scene, and issuing an active shooter alert for the rural community and a surrounding area.
“Shelter in place, lock your doors and refrain from leaving your home or business at this time” local residents were told.
British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger said police officers arrived at Tumbler Ridge Secondary school “within two minutes” of receiving the call of an active shooting.
She said such a swift response “no doubt” saved lives.
Police said they were called at around 13:47 local time to the incident at the house.
The incident at the home occurred first, then the suspect went to the school, officials said.
The motive for the attack is not yet known.
Tumbler Ridge has about 2,400 residents, and its secondary school has 160 students in Grades 7-12.
Who are the victims?
RCMP have confirmed the identities of the victims.
Six people were killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, including a 39-year-old female educator, three female students, all aged 12, and two male students, one aged 12 and the other 13.
- Abel Mwansa: 12 years old
- Ezekiel Schofield: 13 years old
- Kylie Smith: 12 years old
- Zoey Benoit: 12 years old
- Ticaria Lampert: 12 years old
- Shannda Aviugana-Durand: 39 years old
The suspect’s mother, Jennifer Jacobs, 39, and step-brother, Emmett Jacobs, 11, were found dead at a nearby home.
The majority of the 25 others who were injured did not sustain gunshot wounds, police said.
~WakenyaCanada
