Victims of Tumbler Ridge school shooter mourned, named

'Long journey' to healing

Photo: BCRCMP

Victims of the Tumbler Ridge shooting were confirmed by RCMP

UPDATE 1:25 p.m.

The names of the children and two adults gunned down in the small, northern B.C. town of Tumbler Ridge this week are now being shared by RCMP as they endeavour to keep focus on the victims and their families.

“The BC RCMP offers sincere condolences to the families who have lost loved ones, and to the entire Tumbler Ridge community that is grieving alongside them. This is a time of deep sorrow, and many are still processing the weight of this tragedy," Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, BC RCMP Commanding Officer said in a media release.

'We will continue to support the families, respect their wishes, and walk with the community as it begins the long journey toward healing."

Victims from Tumbler Ridge Secondary School are Abel Mwansa: 12-years-old; Ezekiel Schofield, 13-years-old, Kylie Smith, 12-years-old; Zoey Benoit, 12-years-old; Ticaria Lampert, 12-years-old; and Shannda Aviugana-Durand, 39-years-old.

Victims from residence on Fellers Avenue are Emmett Jacobs 11-years-old and Jennifer Jacobs, 39-years-old.

ORIGINAL 8:17 a.m.

As the country continues to grieve the loss of children gunned down at a rural B.C. high school, the provincial government has proclaimed Thursday a day of mourning and the Prime Minister has announced he will make his way to the small community in the days ahead.

Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Tumbler Ridge on Friday to attend a vigil.

Eight people were killed on Tuesday in Tumbler Ridge, a small northern B.C. community of about 2,400 people. Among the dead are the suspect's mother and step brother, as well as five students at the local high school and one educator. The suspect, identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, was also confirmed dead.

Two people were airlifted to hospital in serious condition.

In a news conference on Wednesday, police said that they'd yet to establish a motive for the devastating act of violence.

As the investigation continues, names of shooting victims have started to emerge, through family and friends seeking support for those wrestling with the devastation wrought.

Zoey Benoit

Photo: Facebook

Zoey Renee Anne Benoit was one of the victims of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting.

Zoey Benoit, 12, has been described as a beautiful, loved, and strong-minded 12 year old. She was killed in the Tuesday shooting.

Her mother Lori Hayer shared a harrowing account of what she faced on Tuesday, saying it started as just another day until they got a notice about an active shooter in the school where her daughter, son and nephew attended.

"My nephew was the first one to come out safe as we embraced him, then my son was the next one to come out," Hayer wrote.

"I was so relieved that they were safe and with us. And then there was my beautiful daughter that we waited for and never showed after them. We didn't know she was hurt or where she was. [We] waited for hours. Then here came the news that my daughter, Zoey Renee Anne Benoit, was one of the deceased victims of [these] horrible mass shootings."

Ticaria Lampert

Photo: Contributed

Ticaria Lampert, 12, was identified as one of the victims of the shooting.

Ticaria Lampert, 12, was identified as one of the victims of the shooting.

In an online post, she was described as a bright light. A fundraiser for her surviving family said she was courageous, humorous and a "one-of-a-kind kiddo."

She leaves behind seven siblings and her mother, according to the fundraiser.

Kylie Smith

Photo: Contributed

Kylie Smith, 12, has been identified as one of the victims of the Tumber Ridge shooter.

On Wednesday, 12 year old Kylie Smith was named as one of the children who lost their lives.

"Her father has requested that we share her picture to remind everyone that the unbelievable pain that is being experienced by a tight knit community will resonate for decades," a post from Freya Logging read.

"Our deepest and biggest sympathy goes out to Tumbler Ridge as they navigate the extremely painful days ahead. As northerners our hearts are extended to those whose lives have been shattered."

Abel Mwansa

Photo: Abel Mwansa / Facebook

Abel, 12, was one of the children killed by a mass shooter at Tumbler Ridge high school

In a public post, Abel Mwansa said his 12-year-old son, also named Abel, is among the dead.

“Our son went to school this morning and it happened that someone [who] came to school with a gun went to my kid's classroom, shot some kids and my son was killed too just like that,” Mwansa said on Facebook in a post that has received more than 1,400 comments.

Mwansa said his son loved being at school and cried recently at a suggestion that he be home schooled.

“This is a child that I have raised to respect elders, answer to one call, be strong, work hard, put a smile on the face like I do, focus on his studies, never miss school and to be a good kid.”

Mwansa said his son left home on Tuesday morning to be shot “like a stray dog murdered in cold blood.”

He said he is grateful for the 12 years and 11 months he got to spend with his son.

Eziekiel Schofield

Photo: BCRCMP

Eziekiel Schofield, 13, was one of the victims of the Tumber Ridge shooter.

Eziekiel Schofield, 13, has been identified as one of the victims of the shooting.

"So many young lives were ended so needlessly," his grandfather Peter Schofield said in an online post. "Our hearts are broken not only for Eziekiel, but for every family affected by this tragedy.

"Please keep all of Tumbler Ridge in your thoughts and prayers as the community begins to navigate the days, weeks, and years ahead. We feel absolutely broken."

Maya Gebala

Photo: GoFundMe

Maya, 12, was one of the children injured during a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge and has been airlifted to Vancouver Children’s Hospital.

Tumbler Ridge mother Cia Edmonds, in her own post to Facebook, said she was at Vancouver Children's Hospital with her 12-year-old daughter, Maya Gebala, who is “fighting for her life” due to gunshot injuries.

“Today started as any other,” Edmonds said.

“Now, however, my 12-year-old daughter is fighting for her life while they try to repair the damage from a gunshot wound to the head. And one to the neck,” the post said.

In a later post, Edmonds said Gebala “needs a miracle.” There had been no updates as of Thursday morning other than a plea for support for other people who are also suffering. The fundraiser for Gebala has raised more than $260,000.

Paige Hoekstra

Photo: GoFundMe

A fundraiser was launched for Paige Hoekstra, a Tumbler Ridge shooting victim.

Paige Hoekstra is one of the two girls who was airlifted to Vancouver for surgery.

"Yesterday everything changed for our family," her brother wrote in a fundraiser. "Paige was airlifted to Vancouver after being shot, and she is in surgery right now. We’re still trying to wrap our heads around it. It all happened so fast.

The fundraiser is aimed at collecting on unexpected costs of travel, being away from work, and the medical care Hoekstra will need.

The Tumbler Ridge Parent Advisory Committee has partnered with local organizations to launch an online fundraiser to raise funds for the families directly affected by the shooting. It had raised more than $260,000 by Thursday morning.

In addition to vigils and memorials held across the country, flags at federal buildings will be flown at half-mast for seven days.

The legislative assembly will stand for a moment of silence at noon in remembrance of the victims, their families and the community of Tumbler Ridge.

At 2 p.m. Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia will give a speech in honour of the community.

Correction: This story previously said Maya Gebala's last name was Edmond.