Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says flags at provincial buildings have been lowered in honour of the victims killed in a school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
The shooting took place at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Feb. 10 and left nine people dead, including the shooter, who has been identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar of Tumbler Ridge. Twenty-seven others were injured in the incident, according to RCMP.
Smith made the announcement in a post on social media, saying Canadians across the country were mourning the victims of the tragedy.
“I have directed that flags at the Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton and McDougall Centre in Calgary be flown at half-mast for seven days as an act of solidarity with the victims and their loved ones,” the premier said.
Prime Minister Mark Carney had said earlier the same day that Canadian flags at federal government buildings would be flown half mast for seven days, including on the Peace Tower in Ottawa, as the nation mourns.
Smith said that Alberta extends “heartfelt condolences” to the victims, their families, and the entire community in Tumbler Ridge.
“In times of profound tragedy, Canadians come together, we support our neighbours, our communities, and do everything we can to help each other move forward together,” she said.
Police say six students were killed at the school, including four 12-year-old students and one 13-year-old, as well as a teacher. Van Rootselaar is also suspected of killing her mother and step-brother, whose bodies were discovered at a residence, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald told reporters on Feb. 11.
McDonald said police believe Van Rootselaar died of self-inflicted injuries following the shooting and that investigators have concluded no one else was involved in the killings.
Paul Rowan Brian contributed to this article.
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