‘All of us are unified’: Premier, ministers visit Tumbler Ridge to address community after tragedy

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — Both federal and provincial political leaders stood firm in their pledges to get answers and provide support to Tumbler Ridge in the wake of the mass shooting on Tuesday.

Standing at the community’s Town Hall in the centre of town on the evening of February 11th, B.C. Premier David Eby addressed the media alongside federal minister of public safety Gary Anandasangaree, provincial minister of public safety and solicitor general Nina Krieger, Peace River South MLA Larry Neufeld, federal MP of Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies Bob Zimmer and district mayor Darryl Krakowka.

They were joined by first responders and representatives of Conuma Resources, a major coal company and prominent employer in the community.

Eby, who told reporters he had gotten into town “a couple of hours” before, said what he witnessed in that short time was “one-one thousandth” of what the community had seen transpire.

He described Tumbler Ridge as “an incredibly strong community,” and said supports – including grief counsellors – are already in place.

Eby also spoke of a little girl, one of the victims, who was fighting for her life in hospital.

“Every single person I’ve spoken to…everybody’s worried about somebody else. Every single person has said just make sure you’re looking after this group of people. No one is focusing on themselves here.

“The full extent of what has happened is not sunk in, and there are going to be some long days, weeks and months ahead.”

Anandasangaree spoke next, praising first responders and people in the schools displaying “acts of heroism” despite the devastating loss of life and those injured.

“What we can do here as a federal government is to support the local community,” said Anandasangaree. “To support the mayor, the families, the first responders, the teachers and to ensure that we’re with them every step of the way.”

 Krieger told the assembled media while there will be “questions and there will be anger,” ultimately the community – both in Tumbler Ridge and around Canada – will also display “compassion and resolve” as they look for answers.

“Compassion in how we look after one another, resolve in how we protect our children and support our families and we know that resolve must be matched by action,” said Krieger.

Finally, Krakowka spoke. Fighting tears and being comforted by Eby, he spoke of Tumbler Ridge being one big family, saying counsellors already have “boots to the ground,” in helping victims’ families, educators and first responders process and assess their shared trauma.

“I want to thank the provincial government. My understanding is today, we had five counsellors from Northern Health available at the community centre for the families that have lost loved ones,” said Krakowka.

“We had three at the community health centre for the rest of our community, for the family members of the community. I’m also aware School District 59 has brought in counsellors to support the teachers and the students, and I think that you know you can’t thank the government enough on the quick action to get counsellors on the ground.”

The mass shooting which took place at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School by 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar took the lives of several students, most aged 12 and 13, as well as a 39-year-old teacher.

Investigators found the bodies of a 39-year-old woman and an 11-year old boy – the shooter’s mother and stepbrother – in a residence nearby.

The RCMP is still investigating the matter.