Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has attended a vigil in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, where hundreds gathered to mourn the eight victims killed in a mass shooting there this week. He visited the small town on Friday alongside other federal leaders across the political aisle, as well as Canada's Governor-General Mary Simon, in a show of national unity.
Canadians are with you, we will always be with you, Carney told the crowd in a speech that paid tribute to the victims, which included six young schoolchildren. Residents of the town are still reeling from the attack, with some visibly in tears and comforting one another as Carney and other leaders addressed their grief.
Many refused to speak to the media on Friday, noting that the presence of journalists in their otherwise quiet town in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains had been overwhelming. Carney, who had placed his overseas trade missions on hold to attend, invited other federal leaders to travel to Tumbler Ridge on the same plane.
As leaders paid their respects, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre remarked, We all lead political parties. But today? There are no Conservatives. There are no Liberals, New Democrats, Greens or Bloc Québécois.
Prior to the vigil, Carney and other leaders met families of the victims and first responders, laying flowers at a memorial near Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which has been growing throughout the week. Attendees included families of the victims, local residents, and others who traveled from nearby communities to pay their respects.
The police have identified the suspect in the shooting as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation into the attack continues as authorities work to understand how the shooter obtained the firearms used in the attack. The community is now left to heal from this tragic loss.
Canadians are with you, we will always be with you, Carney told the crowd in a speech that paid tribute to the victims, which included six young schoolchildren. Residents of the town are still reeling from the attack, with some visibly in tears and comforting one another as Carney and other leaders addressed their grief.
Many refused to speak to the media on Friday, noting that the presence of journalists in their otherwise quiet town in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains had been overwhelming. Carney, who had placed his overseas trade missions on hold to attend, invited other federal leaders to travel to Tumbler Ridge on the same plane.
As leaders paid their respects, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre remarked, We all lead political parties. But today? There are no Conservatives. There are no Liberals, New Democrats, Greens or Bloc Québécois.
Prior to the vigil, Carney and other leaders met families of the victims and first responders, laying flowers at a memorial near Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which has been growing throughout the week. Attendees included families of the victims, local residents, and others who traveled from nearby communities to pay their respects.
The police have identified the suspect in the shooting as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation into the attack continues as authorities work to understand how the shooter obtained the firearms used in the attack. The community is now left to heal from this tragic loss.
