'So many young lives were ended so needlessly': What we know about the Tumbler Ridge school victims
More information is emerging about those killed in the Tumbler Ridge, B.C., mass shooting .
On Wednesday, the RCMP said the school victims were a 39-year-old female teacher, and five students — three 12-year-old girls, and two boys, one aged 12 the other 13.
Police have identified the suspected shooter as Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, a biological male who began to transition to female about six years ago. Police believe Van Rootselaar died of a self-inflicted injury inside the school after the shooting.
Two more people — whom police believe are Rootselaar’s mother and 11-year-old stepbrother — were found dead at a nearby home.
Here’s what we know so far about the victims of the school shooting.
Zoey Renee Anne Benoit, 12
“She was such a beautiful, loved, strong minded 12 year old,” Lori Hayer posted on Facebook of her daughter, Zoey Renee Anne Benoit, identifying her as one of the victims of the Tumbler Ridge shooting.
Hayer said that her nephew and son also attended Tumbler Ridge Secondary on Feb. 10, and exited the school unharmed. Relieved that they were safe, Hayer said she waited for Benoit “for hours,” only to discover that she was one of the deceased victims.
“She loved to art, play with her siblings, she also had a beautiful singing voice that she didn’t realize that she had. She was our baby, our girl and our brave hulk and would kick some (ass) if you pissed her off and if someone tried (to) hurt her brother or sister oh goodness look out. We are ALL going to miss you my sweet baby zoey RIP.”
Ticaria Lampert, 12
Tumbler Ridge resident Kenesha Mercredi set up a GoFundMe page identifying 12-year-old Ticaria “Tiki” Lampert as another victim. Mercredi describes Ticaria as “a loving, courageous, humorous, one of a kind kiddo” and says that her single mother, Sarah Lampert, “could use some help with funeral costs to lay her baby girl to rest.”
Mercredi, a neighbour and friend of the family, said that Ticaria had seven siblings, “and a mother who loved her so much.” She told Postmedia that she had spent a lot of time with Tiki, painting together, cooking and doing crafts. A fan of KPop Demon Hunters, she remembers Ticaria as “a kind and loving person” with a contagious laugh.
“I’ll forever cherish the bond I grew with Tiki,” said Mercredi. “Sarah devotes her whole life to her babies and no mother deserves this. Ticaria was an amazing sibling. She was always there for her seven other siblings and made sure they were loved. That whole family is full of love.”
Leila Dusseault, who said Ticaria was one of her child’s best friends — “They were like sisters” — called her “one of the brightest (lights) in our lives” in a Facebook post .
“Your smile, your heart, you were courageous, funny, smart, loving, kind, caring and soo incredibly beautiful inside and out! You were always so bubbly, laughing and smiling and acting goofy with us. We spent so much time over the past years making so many incredible memories that we will cherish forever and ever baby girl! We love you and miss you so incredibly much. I can’t even put into words the impact losing you has made in our lives.”
Ezekiel Schofield, 13
“As many of you already know, Melody and I tragically lost our 13-year-old grandson,” his grandfather, Peter Schofield, wrote on social media.
Ezekiel, who played hockey, was “an amazing child” who always had a smile on his face, the president of the Tumbler Ridge Minor Hockey Association told the Vancouver Sun.
“We have heard from so many dear friends and family members, both near and far, and we are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences during this devastating time,” his grandfather said in a Facebook post. “Your messages, prayers, and support mean more to us than words can express.”
The grieving grandfather, who could not be reached immediately for comment Thursday, asked people to keep “all of Tumbler Ridge” in their thoughts and prayers.
“The tears just keep flowing,” he said.
“So many young lives were ended so needlessly. Our hearts are broken not only for (Ezekiel), but for every family affected by this tragedy.”
Kylie May Smith, 12
Kylie May Smith was a “beautiful, kind, innocent soul,” her aunt Shanon Dykce wrote on a GoFundMe campaign to support the family.
In a Facebook post, Dykce said their family’s world “crumbled” when they learned the 12-year-old girl was among the dead.
“We are completely devastated and have no words as we try to process the magnitude of the situation.”
Dykce described her as a “beautiful, kind, innocent soul.”
Abel Mwansa, 12
Abel Mwansa loved school so much he cried when his father suggested home schooling, his grieving dad said in an emotional Facebook post.
“Our son went to school this morning and it happened that someone came to school with a GUN, went to my kid’s classroom shot some kids and my son was killed too just like that,” his father wrote.
The boy was raised “to respect elders, answer to one call, be strong, work hard,” focus on his studies and “never miss school,” his dad added.
Mwansa said that before his son picked up his backpack and left for school Tuesday morning, he asked his mother to ask his father to pick him up after class at church, where he would be attending a youth meeting, “for he loved the Lord.”
He got a call at work while he was having lunch to pick Abel up at church at 6 p.m. only later to learn that his son had been shot “like a stray dog murdered in cold blood.”
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