Premier Eby Visits Tumbler Ridge in Wake of Tragic Shooting
British Columbia Premier David Eby made an emotional visit to Tumbler Ridge on Wednesday, just over 24 hours after a mass shooting claimed eight lives in the small community. Standing before bright television lights that illuminated the night outside city hall, Eby fought back tears as he addressed the media and community members still reeling from the tragedy.
"Horrifying and Inspirational" Community Response
"It's horrifying and inspirational at the same time," Eby told reporters, his voice trembling with emotion. "And I know there just aren't words to describe the feelings in this town right now." The Premier praised the heroism of first responders, teachers, and students at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School whose actions helped prevent even greater loss of life during the February 10 shooting.
Eby attended an impromptu vigil held across from city hall before speaking to media. He became particularly emotional when discussing 12-year-old Maya Gebala, who remains in critical condition at a Vancouver hospital after being shot in the head and neck. A GoFundMe campaign for her family had raised nearly $197,000 by Wednesday night.
"That moment for me is representative of the profound tragedy—a beautiful child who went to school that was full of joy and love," Eby said, describing a moment of silence during the vigil. "She's clinging to life in hospital right now."Support and Investigation Promised
During the press conference, Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka sobbed openly as he spoke, with Eby placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Krakowka thanked the provincial government for quickly deploying counselors to the community and praised Northern Health for having five counselors available less than a day after the shooting.
However, Eby acknowledged that difficult questions would need to be answered in the coming days and weeks. The RCMP responded to the scene just two minutes after receiving the call, but investigators will examine what preventive measures might have been taken before the tragedy.
"We've begun the process of reaching out to Northern Health, to understand what interactions might have taken place," Eby stated. "There are going to be a lot of questions going forward, trying to learn lessons, to do whatever we can to prevent a horrific event like this from happening again."
Looking Forward with Determination
The Premier emphasized that while investigation and accountability were crucial, the immediate focus must remain on supporting the affected families and community. Eighteen-year-old shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar took his own life after the shooting spree, leaving behind a community grappling with unimaginable loss.
"My commitment to those families, the people of Tumbler Ridge, the people of B.C., is that we will make sure all of those questions are answered through whatever mechanism we need to," Eby promised. As media descended on the normally quiet town, they found what one reporter described as a "ghost town"—a community united in grief but determined to support one another through the difficult days ahead.
The tragedy has raised important questions about mental health interventions and gun safety that will likely shape policy discussions in British Columbia for months to come. For now, Tumbler Ridge focuses on healing, with its leaders acknowledging both the profound tragedy and the remarkable resilience displayed in its aftermath.
