Family of 12-Year-Old Tumbler Ridge Victim Postpones Funeral After Receiving Threats

The family of a 12-year-old girl killed in the Tumbler Ridge, B.C., school shooting, which left four other students dead, has been forced to cancel her Feb. 21 funeral service after receiving threats.

The parents of Grade 7 student Kylie Smith said in a Facebook post that they have been moved to a “safe location” while police investigate the source of the threats. 

“We are so sorry we had to cancel Kylie’s service today. We saw how hard everyone was working on it,” Lance Younge and Jenny Geary said in a Feb. 21 post shared over the weekend by the Tumbler Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

“From what we are hearing, we are at least the third family of the deceased to be harassed or threatened by people from their past since this awful tragedy took place. Like we aren’t all dealing with enough already. Crazy.”

Kylie was one of the six victims killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Feb. 10. Five students and one educational assistant were fatally shot before the suspected shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, was also found dead inside the school from what police described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Van Rootselaar is also accused of killing his mother 39-year-old Jennifer Jacobs, and 11-year-old half-brother Emmett Jacobs at their home prior to the school shooting.

Kylie’s family said they decided to postpone her funeral because they “couldn’t risk any more violence” in Tumbler Ridge.

“Mostly, we are sorry to you, Kylie. Our girl. This was supposed to be your day,” they wrote. “I promise we will give you the most lovely, beautiful event when the time is right. We love you so much and we will do right by you, I promise.”

The family later confirmed they were able to hold a celebration of Kylie’s life the following day, with private security on the premises.

The RCMP said in a statement that its officers are investigating threats that have circulated online and within the community of roughly 2,400 people.

“The RCMP is aware of threats that have circulated online and within the community and we can confirm that an investigation is under way,” the RCMP said. “A safety plan is in place for the individual(s) and community as the investigation continues.”  

The RCMP has not disclosed any details about the threats, but said its investigators met with the mayor and community leaders to ensure ongoing communication and public safety planning.

The Tumbler Ridge school shooting is the second-deadliest school shooting in Canadian history surpassed only by the 1989 École Polytechnique shooting in Montreal that left 14 dead.

Van Rootselaar, who was born a biological male and had transitioned to female in recent years, had a history of mental health issues. Police said officers visited the suspect’s household on several occasions related to mental health issues as well as to secure firearms. 

In addition to the fatalities, police reported 27 students were injured and two were airlifted to hospital. One of the injured, 12-year-old Maya Gebala, was shot in the head and neck and remains in hospital.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.