Tumbler Ridge Unites in Grief: Carney and Poilievre Join Vigil After School Shooting
In a powerful display of unity, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre put aside political differences to join the grieving community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, at a Friday night vigil. The event, held on February 13, 2026, brought together at least 1,000 residents who formed a semicircle around the town hall to mourn the victims of Tuesday's mass shooting.
A Community in Shock
The vigil marked the first time the town had gathered publicly since the tragic events of February 10, 2026, when shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar killed eight people. The victims included five students and a teacher at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, as well as Van Rootselaar's mother, Jennifer Jacobs (Strang), and stepbrother Emmett Jacobs earlier that day.
For three days following the shooting, the downtown area of this mountain-and-mining district had been largely empty as residents stayed away while media descended on the community. But on Friday night, the town emerged as one, filling the area around town hall with row upon row of community members holding hands, lanterns, candles, and photos of the victims.
Stories of Heroism Emerge
British Columbia Premier David Eby, who served as the final speaker at the vigil, shared the remarkable story of Mark Deeley, a science teacher at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. According to Eby's account, Deeley demonstrated extraordinary courage during the shooting.
"Deeley knew the protocol from previous lockdown drills," Eby explained. "When the shooting began, he immediately jammed a chair against his classroom door to secure his students - even though this meant leaving his own son outside in the hallway after the boy had just gone to the bathroom."
But Deeley's heroism didn't end there. After securing his classroom, he ventured back out into danger to rescue an injured student, bringing them back to the classroom where he and some students administered first aid.
Political Unity in Tragedy
Prime Minister Carney emphasized the importance of being physically present with the grieving community. "We want you to hear that Canadians are with you, and we will always be with you," Carney told the crowd. "We wanted you to hear that whatever portion of your sadness that Canadians can bear to help ease your heavy load, we will gladly do so."
Carney praised the teachers who "shielded their children" and the first responders who arrived on scene within two minutes of the emergency call. He described the community's response as an example of grace, saying "It's what we do for each other. It's what we receive from each other - open hearts when the world falls apart."
A Promise to the Community
Premier Eby made a significant promise to the traumatized community, understanding the deep psychological scars the shooting had inflicted. "Not one of you will ever be forced to go back to that school," Eby declared, acknowledging that returning to the scene of the tragedy might be too difficult for many students and teachers.
The emotional weight of the event was palpable as an elder sang a prayer to the fading light in the sky, with community members joining hands in solidarity. Gerald Krauss, pastor at Tumbler Ridge's New Life Assembly Church, shared his heartbreaking memories from Tuesday, recalling how moved he was to see families reunited at the hockey rink next to the school - and how devastating it was to watch parents searching fruitlessly for their children in the impromptu staging area.
Living With the Consequences
Pastor Krauss offered a sobering perspective on the community's path forward. "We're not going to get through it," he said. "It'll just be us having to live with the consequences."
The vigil served as a powerful reminder that in moments of profound tragedy, political divisions can be set aside in favor of human compassion. As the town of Tumbler Ridge begins the long process of healing, the unified support from national and provincial leaders provided a glimmer of hope amid overwhelming grief.
The event highlighted not only the tragedy that unfolded but also the remarkable resilience and heroism displayed by ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. From teachers like Mark Deeley to the first responders and community members supporting one another, Tumbler Ridge demonstrated that even in the darkest moments, humanity and grace can prevail.
