The Feb. 10 shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northeastern B.C. left eight people dead, along with the suspect, who police say died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Victims who lost their lives in the tragedy include five students aged 12 or 13, a teacher, and the suspect’s mother and stepbrother.
As the community reels from the massacre, here’s what we know so far about the victims and the survivors.
Zoey Benoit, 12
Zoey Benoit, 12, has been named as one of the young female students who died in the shooting. In a Feb. 12 update from the RCMP, her family said Zoey brought joy to all who met her and will never be forgotten.
“Our beautiful Zoey, our daughter, sister, niece, grand daughter and friend,” the family wrote. “She was so resilient, vibrant, smart, caring and the strongest little girl you could meet. She brought so much laughter and smiles in her presence.”
Zoey’s mother, Lori Hayer, told Castanet she was deeply relieved when her nephew and son emerged unharmed from the school on Feb. 12 but described waiting for hours for Zoey to show up only to realize the worst had happened.
“We didn’t know she was hurt or where she was. [We] waited for hours,” Hayer said. “Then here came the news that my daughter, Zoey Renee Anne Benoit, was one of the deceased victims of [these] horrible mass shootings.”
The family added, “She loved spending time with her family where she could show her love. Our family is devastated by this loss, but we will cherish her memories with us so close to our hearts forever. She will forever be loved and never forgotten. We miss you beautiful girl, Zoey we love you so much.”
Kylie Smith, 12
Kylie Smith, 12, died in the Feb. 10 shooting. She has been described by her mourning family as a “beautiful soul” who loved art and anime cartoons. She dreamed of going to art school in Toronto, and her father, Lance Young, said she had been “thriving in high school.”
“We just loved her so much,” Young told CTV News. “She never hurt a soul.”
Young described watching with fondness as Kylie and her brother Ethan went to school on Feb. 10, not realizing at the time it would be the last time he would see his daughter alive.
“I soaked in that moment watching them walk in the door together, for whatever reason. I didn’t know it would be the last time,” he said.
Ticaria Lampert, 12
Ticaria Lampert, 12, was killed in the shooting and is being grieved by her family and the whole community of Tumbler Ridge. An online fundraiser launched by Tumbler Ridge resident Kenesha Mercredi to support Ticaria’s single mother, Sarah Lampert, says the young girl was a “one of a kind kiddo.”
Ticaria, who went by “Tiki,” was “loving, courageous, [and] humorous,” Mercredi said, adding that the 12-year-old was being raised by her mother along with her seven siblings.
“Hold your loved ones tight. Tell your babies you love them,” Mercredi wrote. “Rest Easy sweet girl and all the others lost in this tragic event.”
Abel Mwansa, 12
Another of the victims of the Tumbler Ridge shooting has been identified as Abel Mwansa Jr., 12. His father, Abel Mwansa Sr., said he felt happy seeing his son leaving for school on Feb. 10, as he saw a “bright future” in his young son where he might become “a leader, an engineer, also a scientist … because [he] loved doing experiments.”
Mwansa added that seeing his son dead broke his heart.
“If I had power to give life I would have brought you back to life together with others that where killed alongside you but son my power is limited, and seeing your child murdered at this age is heart breaking,” he wrote on Facebook. “I was broken when I saw you packed in that BLACK BAG lifeless and zipped up like those we see in movies was devastating.”
Ezekiel Schofield, 13
Ezekiel Schofield, 13, was another of the young students tragically killed on Feb. 10. His grandfather Peter Schofield mourned his passing in a Feb. 11 online message, writing that he and his wife planned to travel to Tumbler Ridge Feb. 12.
“We are travelling to Tumbler Ridge to be with our family and support them in any way we can,” Schofield wrote. “Everything feels so surreal. The tears just keep flowing.”
Schofield added, “So many young lives were ended so needlessly. Our hearts are broken not only for Eziekiel, but for every family affected by this tragedy.”
Shannda Aviugana-Durand, 39
Educator Shannda Aviugana-Durand has been named by police as another of the victims. The B.C. General Employees’ Union issued a statement mourning her death.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, coworkers, and all those whose lives she touched,” the union wrote in a Feb. 12 release. “Out of respect for her family, we will share further information when appropriate. We are in coordination with our members in the region and the employers in an ongoing response.”
Emmett Jacobs, 11
Emmett Jacobs was the stepbrother of the suspect, Jesse Van Rootselaar, and was tragically killed in the residential shooting on Feb. 10 at Fellers Avenue. No further information has been released by family about the young boy.
Jennifer Jacobs, 39
Jennifer Jacobs, originally identified by police as Jennifer Strang and going by Jennifer Strang on her social media accounts, was identified by authorities as another victim of Van Rootselaar’s shooting at the Fellers Avenue residence. She was Van Rootselaar’s mother.
27 Injured
RCMP released the list of victims of the Tumbler Ridge school shooting and shooting at the residence on Feb. 12, adding that the families of victims are asking for privacy at this time.
“The families and loved ones of those who died are requesting privacy and time to grieve,” RCMP wrote. “We ask that the public and media respect their space as they navigate this devastating tragedy.”
In addition to the fatalities, police also reported that 27 students were injured at the school, including two who were airlifted to hospital.
Maya Gebala, Injured
One has been identified as 12-year-old student Maya Gebala, who was shot in the head and neck and is in critical condition at Vancouver Children’s Hospital. A crowdfunding campaign to support her mother, Cia Edmonds, has been set up by Edmonds’s cousin Krysta Hunt and as of Feb. 12 has raised more than $300,000.
Hunt said in an updated posted on social media on Feb. 12 that Gebala has moved and responded to stimulus and the family is hoping and praying that she survives.
“Day of recovery. Shes moved!!. Its stimulus, a kick, a hand move, but its something!” Hunt said. “Pray for our community. Pray for support. Pray for healing.”
Hunt has told media that Maya is an energetic and sports-loving girl who heroically tried to lock the door of the school library to stop the shooter before being shot by the suspect.
Paige Hoekstra, Injured
The second young student reportedly airlifted to Vancouver for surgery is Paige Hoekstra. A crowdfunding campaign was set up by her brother Nicholas Hoekstra, who said the event has terrified his family.
“Watching someone you love go through something like this is something you can’t really prepare for. We’re scared, we’re hoping, and we’re just taking it one moment at a time,” he wrote.
An update on the fundraising page on the afternoon of Feb. 12 noted that Paige is out of surgery and recovering in hospital.
“Paige had suffered one gunshot wound to the chest and has since undergone surgery to repair/assess damage, but she is officially out of danger and in recovery,” reads the update from Hoekstra’s older sister Leann Fletcher.
In a personal update, Paige wrote, “I want to tell everyone that I am okay and I am recovering.”
Nicholas Hoekstra added that the fundraising campaign is to help for the medical care Paige will need in the future and the costs of travel and being away from work. As of Feb. 12, it has raised more than $37,000.
‘Lend Your Shoulder When Someone Needs Your Shoulder’
During a Feb. 11 press conference, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said police are still investigating the motive of the shooting.
“There’s been much speculation within the community regarding the relationship between the shooter and some of the victims. All of that remains part of the active and ongoing investigation,” he said, adding “we are not in a position to publicly confirm any specifics.”
Another parent of a student at the school has told media that Van Rootselaar was trying to find more of his siblings at the secondary school to kill them.
The mayor of Tumbler Ridge, Darryl Krakowka, told the media on Feb. 11 that the community needs to look after one another.
“Lend your ear when someone needs your ear. Lend your shoulder when someone needs your shoulder,” Krakowka said. “Give somebody a hug.”
The Tumbler Ridge school shooting is the second-deadliest school shooting in Canadian history. The deadliest took place in 1989 at École Polytechnique in Montreal in which 14 were killed and after which the gunman later killed himself.
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