The small mountain town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, continues to mourn the loss of eight lives—including six young students and a teacher—following a devastating mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on February 10, 2026. Among the victims was 12-year-old Kylie Smith, remembered by her father, Lance Younge, as a “beautiful soul” whose light brightened their entire family.
Kylie, a grade seven student who had just begun thriving in high school, was passionate about art and anime. She dreamed of attending school in Toronto one day, her father told CTV News in an emotional interview. “She was a light in our family,” Younge said, voice breaking. “She loved art and anime. She wanted to go to school in Toronto, and we just loved her so much. She was thriving in high school. She never hurt a soul.”
The morning of the tragedy started like any other. Younge sent Kylie and her 15-year-old brother Ethan to school together, unaware it would be the last time they walked through those doors side by side. “I didn’t know it would be the last time they would go to school together,” he recalled, tears streaming. Ethan survived the ordeal by hiding in a utility room, later calling his family around 3:05 p.m. to say he loved them, as chaos unfolded around him.
Kylie’s stepmother, Jennifer Geary, confirmed Ethan’s narrow escape and emphasized the family’s desire to honor the victims and heroes rather than dwell on the perpetrator. A student who performed CPR on an injured classmate was highlighted as one of many acts of bravery amid the horror. The family has urged the public to “remember them, not this murderer,” shifting focus to the innocent lives lost and the community’s resilience.
The attack began at a private residence where the suspect, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar—a former student who dropped out four years earlier—killed her mother and 11-year-old stepbrother. Van Rootselaar then traveled to the school, opening fire and killing a 39-year-old female teacher, three 12-year-old girls (including Kylie), one 12-year-old boy, and one 13-year-old boy. At least 25 others were injured, some critically, before Van Rootselaar died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
RCMP confirmed Van Rootselaar, who transitioned to female about six years prior, acted alone. Police had visited the family home multiple times for mental health concerns, including a call in May 2025, temporarily seizing firearms that were later returned. No clear motive has been released, and investigators continue examining digital evidence and witness accounts.
Kylie’s aunt, Shanon Dycke, launched a GoFundMe to support her mother, Desirae, and the family, describing the news as “gut-wrenching.” “Our beautiful Kylie May was confirmed to be one of the victims… She was just 12 years old. We are completely devastated and have no words as we try to process the magnitude of the situation,” Dycke wrote. The fundraiser aims to ease financial burdens during this unimaginable grief.
In his interview, Younge delivered a poignant message to all parents: “Hold your kids tight, tell them you love them every day. You never know, you never know.” His words echo across Canada, where the shooting—ranking among the deadliest school incidents since École Polytechnique in 1989—has prompted national reflection on youth mental health, school safety in remote areas, and the importance of cherishing everyday moments.
Tumbler Ridge, a tight-knit community of 2,400 reliant on coal mining and nestled in the Rockies, has rallied with vigils and support networks. Counselors have flooded in to aid students, families, and first responders. Provincial and federal leaders have offered condolences, with calls for strengthened intervention in high-risk cases and enhanced rural school protections.
As funerals loom and the investigation deepens, Kylie’s story stands as a heartbreaking reminder of innocence stolen too soon. She was a child full of dreams, creativity, and kindness—qualities her family vows to carry forward. In the face of profound loss, her father’s plea resonates: love fiercely, hold on tightly, because tomorrow is never promised.
The community grieves not just for Kylie but for all victims whose lives were vibrant and full of potential. Their memories, not the violence, will define the healing ahead in this shattered town.
