Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has attended a vigil in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, where hundreds gathered to mourn the eight victims killed in a mass shooting there this week. He visited the small town on Friday alongside other federal leaders across the political aisle, as well as Canada's Governor-General Mary Simon, in a show of national unity. Canadians are with you, we will always be with you, Carney told the crowd in a speech that paid tribute to the victims, which included six young schoolchildren.
Residents of the town are still reeling from the attack, with some visibly in tears and comforting one another as Carney and other leaders addressed their grief. Many refused to speak to the media, finding the presence of journalists overwhelming in their quiet community.
Carney, who cancelled a planned trip to the Munich Security Conference following the shooting, invited the other federal leaders to travel to Tumbler Ridge on the same plane as him, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre noted.
Ahead of the vigil, Carney and other leaders met families of the victims and first responders, laying flowers at a memorial near Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which has grown throughout the week.
During the vigil, Poilievre stated, Today? There are no Conservatives. There are no Liberals, New Democrats, Greens or Bloc Québécois.
Families of the victims attended to pay their respects, alongside local residents and those who drove in from nearby communities. The sorrow was palpable, with Colaina Hall, who had driven two hours from Fort St John saying, It is just devastating.
Police have identified the shooter as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the school. The investigation continues into how the weapons used were procured, as the community seeks healing from this tragic event.
Residents of the town are still reeling from the attack, with some visibly in tears and comforting one another as Carney and other leaders addressed their grief. Many refused to speak to the media, finding the presence of journalists overwhelming in their quiet community.
Carney, who cancelled a planned trip to the Munich Security Conference following the shooting, invited the other federal leaders to travel to Tumbler Ridge on the same plane as him, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre noted.
Ahead of the vigil, Carney and other leaders met families of the victims and first responders, laying flowers at a memorial near Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which has grown throughout the week.
During the vigil, Poilievre stated, Today? There are no Conservatives. There are no Liberals, New Democrats, Greens or Bloc Québécois.
Families of the victims attended to pay their respects, alongside local residents and those who drove in from nearby communities. The sorrow was palpable, with Colaina Hall, who had driven two hours from Fort St John saying, It is just devastating.
Police have identified the shooter as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the school. The investigation continues into how the weapons used were procured, as the community seeks healing from this tragic event.
