What we know about the victims of the Canadian high school, residence shooting
Victims have begun being identified in the mass shooting that occurred in a small community in Canada’s British Columbia province.
At least eight people were killed, most of them at a school, on Tuesday. Five children and one adult were fatally shot at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, according to officials.
Tumbler Ridge is a small community of about 2,400 people located in the Northern Rockies in northeastern B.C.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police – PHOTO: Victims from Tumbler Ridge Secondary School shooting released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Kylie Smith, 12, Zoey Benoit, 12, Ezekiel Schofield,13, Abel Mwansa, 12.
8 killed in Canada school shooting, including members of alleged suspect’s family: Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police identified what they called a “secondary location believed to be connected to the incident” where one adult and one child were found dead inside a residence.
Jesse Boily/The Canadian Press via AP – PHOTO: Jesse Boily/The Canadian Press via AP
Separately, the suspected shooter is also dead from what is believed to be a self-inflicted injury, according to the RCMP.
Here’s what we know about the victims:
Zoey Benoit, 12
Zoey Benoit’s family confirmed the 12-year-old’s death in a statement released by the RCMP, calling her “resilient, vibrant, smart, caring and the strongest little girl you could meet.”
Royal Canadian Mounted Police – PHOTO: Zoey Benoit, 12, was killed in a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, in a photo released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
“She brought so much laughter and smiles in her presence. She loved spending time with her family where she could show her love,” the statement read. “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. We miss you beautiful girl, Zoey we love you so much.”
Kylie Smith, 12
Kylie Smith’s family confirmed the 12-year-old died in the shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
“She was just a beautiful soul. She’s a light in our family,” Smith’s father, Lance Younge, told CTV. “She loved art and anime. She wanted to go to school in Toronto. And we just loved her so much.”
Royal Canadian Mounted Police – PHOTO: Kylie Smith, 12, was killed in a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, in a photo released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Younge went on, “She was thriving in high school. She never hurt a soul. She was a supporter, LGBTQ supporter. And she was the last person who ever deserved this.”
Emmett Jacobs, 11
Royal Canadian Mounted Police – PHOTO: Emmett Jacobs, 11, was killed in a shooting at a residence on Fellers Ave. in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, in a photo released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Jennifer Jacobs, 30
Ticaria Lampert, 12
Abel Mwansa, 12
Royal Canadian Mounted Police. – PHOTO: Abel Mwansa, 12, was killed in a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, in a photo released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Ezekiel Schofield, 13
Royal Canadian Mounted Police – PHOTO: Ezekiel Schofield, 13, was killed in a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, in a photo released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
