‘We know there is resilience in Tumbler Ridge’: SD60 sends message to fellow district in wake of shooting

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — School District 60 (SD60) is offering assistance and condolences to the Tumbler Ridge community in the aftermath of the shooting. 

At the recent SD60 board meeting, chair Helen Gilbert sent a message to Tumbler Ridge in the aftermath of a mass shooting which took place at the secondary school on February 10th. 

Jesse Van Rootselaar shot and killed eight people, including a 39-year-old female educator, three 12-year-old girls and two boys between the ages of 12 and 13. 

Rootselaar’s two additional victims are her 39-year-old mother and her 11-year-old stepbrother, were found dead in a local residence nearby and they are believed to be her first victims. 

Gilbert said: “Our hearts are with the students, staff, families of the victims and the community of Tumbler Ridge, the heroic efforts of staff and students to keep each other safe during the initial event is noted.” 

Gilbert praised the efforts of the first responders for their quick response. 

She shared how the shockwaves of this event have reached beyond the School District 59 area. 

“Thank you to our staff for the support given to the students and families in our own community that have been impacted by this event,” she said. “We know that there is a resilience in Tumbler Ridge that will move the community forward in healing.” 

She said SD60 has reached out to “our fellow Peace River district to offer any assistance we can give in the immediate aftermath of this event and will continue to do so in the future.” 

She shared: “We offer condolences and whatever we can do to help Tumbler Ridge.” 

To donate to the GoFundMe pages launched for the victims of the Tumbler Ridge shooting, click here.