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Canada plunged into gloom as the echoes of the Tumbler Ridge shooting tragedy reverberated from coast to coast to coast, besides reaching the Olympic cities of Milan and Cortina. While Prime Minister Mark Carney made a touching statement in the House of Commons, the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees also condemned the dastardly killings while expressing solidarity with the families of the victims.

Meanwhile, the British Columbia division of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (BC RCMP) has the suspect who carried out the mass shooting incident that killed eight people and left many more injured in the small northeastern community of Tumbler Ridge Feb. 10 afternoon.

McDonald also confirmed that one fewer than the initially suspected 10 people had died. He clarified that only nine, including Van Rootselaar, had died.

“Initially, it was believed that one of the victims, a female with significant injuries, who was transported from the scene by our members and then transitioned to paramedics, had succumbed to her injuries,” he explained.

“Police have since confirmed that is not the case. She is alive, and was one of the two female victims who were airlifted to the hospital. Both of those victims remain in serious condition.”

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RCMP said that eighteen-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a resident of the small town of approximately 2,400, has been identified as the suspected shooter, whom police confirmed died by self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“Two firearms, a long gun and a modified handgun were recovered by responding officers. Determining the origin of these firearms and what role they played in the shootings remains a significant part of the active and ongoing investigation,” BC RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said at a press conference, revealing that RCMP officers were shot at as they swarmed Tumbler Ridge Secondary School around 1:20 p.m. Feb. 10 . The RCMP had ordered the local area to hold in place for hours in reaction to what was later revealed to be a deadly active shooter investigation.

“Upon arrival, there was active gunfire. And as officers approached the school, rounds were fired in their direction. Officers entered the school to locate the threat. Within minutes, an individual confirmed to be the shooter was located deceased,” said McDonald.

Shaken by the tragedy, the worst in the recent years in the country, Prime Minister Mark Carney, took to the floor of House of Commons to condemn the gruesome shooting incident. He said:

“This morning, families in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, woke to a different world. Parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters began their first day on earth without someone they loved dearly.

“What happened has left our nation in shock and all of us in mourning. Nine people killed. More than 25 others were injured. Some still in hospital fighting for their lives. The investigation is ongoing, and we must allow law enforcement the time and space to do their work thoroughly.

“Tumbler Ridge is a community of some 2,400 people, nestled in the foothills of the Rockies. It is one of the youngest towns in the province – carved out of the wilderness in the 1980s, built on the promise of the resource economy and by the determination of its residents. It is a town of miners, teachers, construction workers – families who have built their lives there, people who have always shown up for each other there.

“When wildfires raged, neighbours helped each other pack up and move out of harm’s way. They checked in on seniors and those living alone. They made sure no one was left behind. When the coal mines shut down, residents supported local businesses, shared job leads, and lifted each other up.

“Tumbler Ridge represents the very best of Canada – resilient, compassionate, and strong.

“Yesterday morning, parents from Tumbler Ridge sent their children to school. Many will never hold them again. Young people and their teachers have witnessed an unimaginable cruelty. 

“I want each of them to know: your country is with you,” he said in a voiced choked with emotions. 

Continuing with his condolence address, Mark Carney said “on behalf of all Canadians, I offer my prayers to the victims, to their families, their friends, to all those who were injured, and to everyone whose life was changed irreversibly yesterday. 

“I want to express my profound gratitude to the first responders –  the RCMP officers who entered that school not knowing what awaited them. To the paramedics and medical staff at the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre. To the teachers and school staff who acted with extraordinary courage to protect the children in their care. 

“In the darkest of moments, they showed the best of Canada.

“I have spoken with the Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, to express my condolences and those of the Government of Canada. The Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, has been coordinating the federal response and is enroute to Tumbler Ridge with the Premier, and the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, Gregor Robertson.

“We have been here before – École Polytechnique in Montréal; the Islamic Cultural Centre of Québec City; La Loche, Saskatchewan; Humboldt; Portapique, Nova Scotia. Each time, it breaks us open.

“In the days ahead, there will be important questions to ask and difficult conversations to have. We owe that to the victims and to their families. But today, however, is for grieving and remembrance. Today is for the people of Tumbler Ridge and the Peace River region – for a community enduring the unimaginable.

“A few moments ago, Mr. Speaker, we held a moment of silence for families who are grieving. For many of them today, the silence is loud. We may never fully reconcile with the horrific, senseless violence that ripped through Tumbler Ridge yesterday,” the PM said.

Reacting to the shooting in Tumbler Ridge, the Canadian Olympic and the Canadian  Paralympic Committee shared the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened by the devastating school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Our hearts go out to the families grieving the loss of loved ones, to those recovering from injuries, and to the entire community. In this moment of profound sorrow, the Canadian Paralympic Team holds the people of Tumbler Ridge close and shares in their grief."

BC RCMP Deputy Commissioner McDonald says multiple victims were discovered dead throughout the school, and roughly 25 more were injured.

“Once it was determined to be safe, officers evacuated over 100 students and faculty to a local community centre. While police continued to assess whether any ongoing threats remained, those with potential injuries were transported to the local medical clinic for triage and assessment, and two victims with significant injuries were transported to hospital via air ambulance.”

“The deceased victims from the school include an adult female educator, three female students, and two male students, between the ages of 13 and 17.”

On Feb. 10, police confirmed two more people had been discovered dead in a nearby home.

“Two additional victims, an adult female and a male youth, were located deceased at a local residence,” McDonald clarified.

Discover more at New India Abroad.