On Tuesday, February 10, the unthinkable happened.
Armed with a pair of guns, Jesse Van Rootselaar entered the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and shot eight individuals—seven students and one teaching assistant—leaving six dead.
It was later discovered that earlier in the day, Van Rootselaar had also killed his mother and a sibling at home.
Shannda Aviugana-Durand
Shannda leaves behind her loving husband, her two children and all the other lives she touched every day. “She carried warmth, patience and compassion wherever she went. She was the kind of person who showed up for others, offered comfort without hesitation, and gave her love freely”
Ticaria Lampert
Two months shy of turning 13, Tiki was a good student, self-disciplined, and content living in the moment.
“She was in no hurry to grow up,” mother Sarah says. “She is forever my baby because that’s what she was. She was a baby.” She leaves behind seven siblings and a single mother.
Ezekiel Schofield
Ezekiel is described as a vibrant young soul who brought joy and laughter to all who knew him. Always wearing a smile, he was a passionate hockey player and a cherished member of our community. His warmth and spirit will be profoundly missed.
Abel Mwansa
Abel Mwansa Jr. was only 12 years old when his life was suddenly and unfairly cut short. He was a respectful and kind young man who loved his family. He was active in the community playing soccer, around the neighbourhood and he loved going to school.
“Seeing you leaving the house with that beautiful smile while going to Tumbler Ridge High School was so refreshing,” says his father, Abel Sr. “This is because I saw a bright future, a leader, an engineer, also a scientist in you, because you loved doing experiments with explanation.
“I invested so much in you to make you a better person, one that would change the world.
“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.
“I was broken when I saw you packed in that BLACK BAG lifeless and zipped up like those we see in movies was devastating.
“REST IN PEACE SON ABEL JR. TOGETHER WITH YOUR FELLOW INNOCENT VICTIMS.”
Kylie Smith
Kylie Smith has left the world too soon at 12 years old. As her dad grieves her loss he begs us to remember her and the other victims and heroes from this tragedy. “Kylie was the light in our family,” says her father. “She loved her family, friends, and going to school. She was a talented artist and had dreams of going to art school in the big city of Toronto. Rest in paradise, sweet girl, our family will never be the same without you.”
Zoey Benoit
Zoey Benoit: “Our beautiful Zoey, our daughter, sister, niece, grand daughter and friend. 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. 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.”
Jennifer and Emmett Jacobs
Emmett and his mother Jenn lost their lives in their own home. Emmett leaves behind three siblings whose world has been shattered. Their family feels their loss profoundly and they are missed terribly.
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Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
