The small Canadian town of Tumbler Ridge is in shock after a tragic shooting incident that left nine dead and at least 25 wounded at a local secondary school and nearby home. With a population of just 2,500, community members expressed their disbelief and grief, underscoring the tight-knit nature of their town, located 415 miles northeast of Vancouver.
Mayor Darryl Krakowka was deeply affected, stating, I will know every victim. I've been here 19 years, and we're a small community. He added, I don't call them residents. I call them family. The atmosphere shifted dramatically during the school lockdown as students and staff grappled with the sudden threat, and fear spread among parents.
Town councillor Chris Norbury, whose family was directly impacted, recounted the harrowing moments as he waited for news of his wife and daughter. It was terrifying, it's hard to put into words the dread and fear that you feel knowing that a loved one is in danger, he said, reflecting on the chaos and emergency responses he witnessed.
Students reported barricading classroom doors in a desperate attempt to protect themselves as gunfire rang out. One student, 15-year-old Ashton, described huddling with classmates for two to three hours, unsure of where the danger was coming from, while Bryan Castellarin, Ashton's father, expressed gratitude for his son's survival during this traumatic event.
Darian Quist, a grade 12 student, reflected on the alarming realization of their situation as messages about the shooting circulated among classmates, leading to a tense and fearful environment. His mother, who worked at the local hospital, experienced her own panic until learning that her son was safe.
As the details of the tragedy unfold, local residents are left grappling with the aftermath and questioning the impact of such violence on their peaceful community. It's an incredible shock that anything like this could happen. We're such a tight-knit community, we're really like a family here, Norbury lamented, pointing out the long-term emotional effects on students and families after such an incident.
In its wake, Tumbler Ridge must come together to support one another, heal, and reflect on the bonds that define this closely-knit community. A candlelit vigil has been planned to honor the victims and help the healing process begin for the bereaved families and friends.
