Tumbler Ridge Shooting: A Community United in Grief and Resilience
The horrific events of Tuesday in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on the community. Six children and two adults tragically lost their lives in a mass shooting, leaving behind a wave of grief and trauma. As days of mourning unfold, survivors and families are beginning to share their harrowing experiences.
Survivor Accounts: Fear and Loss
Thirteen-year-old Mya Larocque, who was trapped inside the school during the attack, vividly recalls the terror she felt. “I couldn’t have any way to contact my family. My phone was in the bin for the room,” she shared, remembering the over two hours spent in lockdown. Mya knew all the students who perished in the school library, describing them as “so young.”
Adding to the tragedy, Mya lives just three doors down from the home where police say the suspect’s half-brother and mother were also found deceased. She shares a name with another victim, Maya Gebala, who is currently recovering from two gunshot wounds at BC Children’s Hospital.
A Community’s Response: Support and Healing
Mya’s grandparents spoke of the fear that has gripped their family. “As soon as we could get her, we went to the arena, and I grabbed her, and I held her, and I didn’t ever want to let her go again,” said Linda Larocque, Mya’s grandmother. Linda recounted witnessing the aftermath of the attack while at a nearby medical centre, hearing alarms and seeing bodies being transported to emergency services. Her grandfather, David Larocque, described the moment as a “heart-flutter moment.”
The family is now focused on praying for all those affected and advocating for long-term mental health support for the entire community – including the suspect’s family. Linda emphasized the importance of rallying around everyone impacted: “We will rally around those kids. And around those families. And the families of people who are hurt. And the families of, unfortunately, [the suspect] that started this. We will go around that family, too. We’ll take care of all of them.”
Witnessing the Aftermath
Shelley Quist, whose son Darian recently moved to Tumbler Ridge Secondary, shared that Darian also knew the victims. He and his friends were barricaded in the mechanics’ shop classroom during the attack. Quist, working at the medical centre at the time, instinctively wanted to rush to the school but was advised against it by a coworker. She saw an RCMP officer with a drawn weapon in the parking lot.
Quist managed to reach Darian by phone, and he simply told her, “Mom, I can’t talk, but I’ll stay on the line with you.” Shortly after, an emergency alert was issued. While Darian couldn’t hear what was happening, Quist noted that the students in the library did.
Moving Forward: Grief, Gratitude, and a Need for Support
While Darian is slowly recovering, Quist describes the community as experiencing a “mixed bag” of emotions. “There’s a lot of grief. There’s a lot of mourning,” she said. She expressed gratitude for the support received but emphasized the need for ongoing conversations about the community’s needs.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health resources and community support in the face of unimaginable loss. As Tumbler Ridge begins the long process of healing, the strength and resilience of its residents will be crucial. For more information on mental health support in British Columbia, visit BC CDC Mental Health Resources.
—With files from Cecilia Hua
