Community in Tumbler Ridge grieves as young students including 12-year-old Kylie Smith lose their lives in deadly school shooting

A tight-knit British Columbia community is grappling with unimaginable loss after a devastating school shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School left five students and a teacher dead.

Among the victims was 12-year-old Kylie Smith, described by her father as the “light of their family.”

The horrifying events unfolded after the gunman, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, had already killed his mother and brother at their home.

Kylie’s death, along with that of her classmates and a teacher, has left families and the wider community in shock, struggling to process the violence that touched their small town.

Remembering Kylie Smith: A Young Soul Taken Too Soon

Lance Younge, Kylie’s father, shared heart-wrenching memories of his daughter with CTV, painting a portrait of a bright, artistic, and compassionate child.

“She loved art and anime. She dreamed of going to school in Toronto. She never hurt a soul,” he said.

An online fundraiser echoes this sentiment, describing Kylie as a “beautiful, kind, innocent soul.”

The GoFundMe campaign for Kylie’s funeral and travel expenses has already raised over $20,000, highlighting the outpouring of support from the community.

Kylie’s aunt, Sharon Dycke, noted that Kylie’s mother recently moved to Vancouver Island and has not seen her daughter in months.

She expressed the family’s grief and solidarity with the other victims’ families: “Our world has crumbled. My heart aches for the other families involved and for the loss of their children.”

The Gunman’s Troubling Past Comes to Light

Questions are now swirling about what may have driven Van Rootselaar to commit such a heinous act.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), firearms were confiscated from the family home years ago due to safety concerns but were later returned.

The teenager, who began identifying as female at the age of 12, had a history of mental health challenges.

He stopped attending school at 14 and had previously been taken in for assessment under Canada’s mental health legislation.

Neighbors and acquaintances described him as a quiet, solitary figure who often sat alone.

Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald of the BC RCMP confirmed that Van Rootselaar’s mother did not possess a valid firearms license at the time of her death.

Authorities are now reviewing how the firearms were returned and what role, if any, this played in enabling the tragedy.

Chaos in the School: Students Hide in Fear

The rampage began in the library at Tumbler Ridge Secondary, where Van Rootselaar opened fire on students and staff.

An emergency alert was issued to the town around 1:20 p.m., followed by a lockdown alarm in the hallways. Students were instructed to barricade themselves inside classrooms.

Darian Quist, a senior, recalled hiding in his mechanics class for more than two hours, fearful for his life.

“At first, I didn’t think it was serious, but once photos started circulating showing the aftermath, it really hit me,” he told CBC.

The images, depicting blood and chaos, left students traumatized and struggling to comprehend the scale of the violence.

Families Struggle Amid the Aftermath

Alongside the mourning for the deceased, families are grappling with the condition of those injured.

Twelve-year-old Maya Gebala, shot in the neck and head, was reported to be in critical condition.

Her mother, Cia Edmonds, described the bleak prognosis: “We were warned that the damage to her brain was too much… Our baby needs a miracle.”

Younge, Kylie’s father, has called on the public to focus on the victims rather than the shooter.

“Let’s put these pictures up, remember them, and not this murderer. These kids were lost before they got to become teenagers,” he said, highlighting the need to honor the lives taken rather than the violence itself.

With fewer than 175 students enrolled, Tumbler Ridge Secondary is a small community where families know one another well.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the town, and parents are urging each other to cherish every moment with their children.

What’s Next?

Authorities are continuing their investigation into how Van Rootselaar obtained the firearms and whether the tragedy could have been prevented.

The RCMP has also promised a review of their protocols regarding the return of weapons previously confiscated for safety reasons.

Support networks, including counseling and community gatherings, are being mobilized to help students, families, and staff cope with the trauma.

Fundraisers and memorials are underway to assist affected families with funeral costs and recovery support.

Summary

The Tumbler Ridge school shooting has left a small British Columbia community devastated.

Five students, including 12-year-old Kylie Smith, and a teacher lost their lives, while more than two dozen others were injured.

The gunman, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, had a troubling past marked by mental health struggles and prior encounters with law enforcement.

Families and friends are now mourning, supporting the injured, and raising funds to cover funeral and travel costs.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances that allowed this tragedy to occur, while the community comes together to honor the memories of those lost and protect the survivors.