In the small town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, residents are reeling after a mass shooting left nine people dead, including six children.
We've been insulated, Tracy Krauss, a local pastor, told the BBC. A newcomer comes to town and they're locking up, and everyone laughs, because why are you doing that? Nothing happens here.
Krauss said that sense of security now feels painfully naïve.
On Thursday, police released the identities of the victims. They include 12-year-old Zoey Benoit, who was described by loved ones as the strongest little girl you could meet.
Another 12-year-old victim, Kylie Smith, was the light of her family who had dreams of attending art school in the big city, her family said in a statement.
The tragedy has shaken the tight-knit town of about 2,400 people, which is set along a few winding rural roads in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
A memorial beside the school grew on Thursday, as people left flowers, teddy bears, and handwritten notes in honor of the victims.
Tuesday's incident is one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canada, where such attacks have historically been rare.
Support has poured in from across the country, including from Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is scheduled to visit the town on Friday.
Many questions remain about the shooting, with investigators still trying to determine why 18-year-old suspect Jesse Van Rootselaar carried out the attack. Van Rootselaar was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the school. The suspect's mother and step-brother were among the victims.
Krauss noted how Van Rootselaar's family is also affected by this tragedy. That family is victimized too, she added, acknowledging the communal grief.
As grieving authorities expand their investigation, citizens are left to mourn. The federal Conservative Member of Parliament for the area expressed hopes that Tumbler Ridge will be remembered for its beauty rather than this dark chapter.
In the coming days, discussions about mental health resources and community support are likely to arise, as residents seek solace after an unfathomable loss.
