Heartbreaking photos of children killed in school shooting | World | News
Victims of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting (Image: Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
Police have released the first photographs of the children fatally shot in Canada’s deadliest school shooting in almost 40 years.
Suspected shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, gunned down three 12-year-old girls, two boys aged 12 and 13, and a 39-year-old female teacher at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada, on Tuesday, February 10.
The suspected shooter is also understood to have killed a 39-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy, identified by police as Van Rootselaar’s mum and stepbrother. They were shot by Van Rootselaar before the attack on the school.
It is understood that at least 25 people were wounded in the attack.
The attack is the deadliest school shooting in the country since 14 students were killed at Montreal’s L’Ecole Polytechnique in 1989.
“In consultation with the families, the following photos and personal statements are being shared to honour the lives lost,” the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) wrote in a statement on its website.
“The RCMP is facilitating the release of these materials to support healing and help the community move forward together.”
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Abel Mwansa, 12, is understood to have been a pupil at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
He died after being fatally shot at the school.
Abel Mwansa (Image: Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
Ezekiel Schofield, 13, is understood to have been a pupil at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
He died after being fatally shot at the school.
Ezekiel Schofield (Image: Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
Zoey Benoit, 12, is understood to have been a pupil at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
She died after being fatally shot at the school.
Zoey’s family said she was a daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter and friend. They described her as “resilient, vibrant, smart, caring and the strongest little girl you could meet.”
“She brought so much laughter and smiles in her presence,” Zoey’s family said.
“Our family is devastated by this loss, but we will cherish her memories with us so close to our hearts forever. She will forever be loved and never forgotten.”
Zoey Benoit (Image: Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
Kylie Smith, 12, is understood to have been a pupil at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
She died after being fatally shot at the school.
“Kylie was the light in our family,” her family said.
“She loved her family, friends, and going to school. She was a talented artist and had dreams of going to art school in the big city of Toronto,” they added.
“Rest in paradise, sweet girl, our family will never be the same without you.”
Kylie Smith (Image: Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
Emmett Jacobs, 11, is understood to have been the stepbrother of the suspected Tumbler Ridge shooter.
He was fatally shot at a residential address before the attack on Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
Emmett Jacobs (Image: Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
Ticaria Lampert 12, is understood to have been a pupil at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
She died after being fatally shot at the school.
No photograph of Ticaria has been shared.
Shannda Aviugana-Durand was fatally shot at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. It is understood that the 39-year-old was a teacher at the school.
Jennifer Jacobs was fatally shot at a residential address before the attack on Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. It is understood that the 39-year-old was the mother of the suspected shooter.
