Flags at the B.C. legislature flew at half-mast under grey skies on Thursday as MLAs from all parties gathered on the steps to pay tribute to the victims of one of the province’s worst mass shootings.
The small northeastern community of Tumbler Ridge has been rocked by the shooting deaths of six children and two women at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a home in the community.
More than two dozen people were injured, and a 12-year-old girl and a 19-year-old woman remain in hospital in serious condition.
B.C. RCMP said the suspect, 18-year-old Tumbler Ridge resident Jesse Van Rootselaar, killed herself at the school.
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B.C.’s Lieutenant Governor, Wendy Cocchia, had been set to deliver the Throne Speech on Thursday to kick off the spring session of the legislature. But House leaders from all three parties announced Wednesday that the planned Throne Speech would be scrapped and Cocchia would instead deliver remarks in honour of the victims. Feb. 12 was proclaimed a day of mourning in the province.
“Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and a tight-knit community suffering unimaginable pain. We hold them in our prayers and stand with them in their grief,” Cocchia said at the legislature Thursday afternoon.
In her speech, Cocchia pointed to the words of Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka, who said people can help by offering a hug.
“I think that is very wise because at a time of deep grief, often we retreat and we withdraw. But what often helps the healing process as well is connectivity,” Cocchia said.
“I want the people of Tumbler Ridge to know unequivocally that we are always here for you and we will always have a hug waiting for you,” she said.
Members of the legislative assembly also held a moment of silence.
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Later outside the legislature, Premier David Eby grew emotional as he spoke about his recent visit to Tumbler Ridge. Some members gathered behind him shed tears and shared hugs.
“It’s not often that the legislature is fully united, but clearly, with all Canadians, we’re standing with those families and loved ones who are suffering right now,” Eby said.
Eby said the normal routine of the legislature felt empty after seeing what people in Tumbler Ridge are going through.
His voice broke as he described seeing a hockey card and stuffed toys at a makeshift memorial in the community.
Eby said he heard many stories while in Tumbler Ridge of people stepping up to help each other during the tragedy. He said he heard about students protecting other students during the shooting, teachers who pulled the injured out of the hall to perform CPR, and volunteer firefighters who showed up to help respond to the incident.
“But they’re not my stories to share,” Eby said.
“There’s a deep commitment to the community, that the community will come through this … but right now there sure is a lot of grief,” he said.
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B.C. Conservative interim leader Trevor Halford said he will travel to Tumbler Ridge on Friday. He urged British Columbians to keep the focus on the victims, not politics.
“We will be there to support in any way we can,” Halford told reporters. “There is absolutely zero politics to any of this.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney and other federal leaders are also expected to visit the community Friday and attend an evening vigil.
