A Canadian bishop has called the people of northern British Columbia to prayer and penance following Tuesday’s mass school shooting in Tumbler Ridge. Source: Catholic Register.
“The unimaginable tragedy that struck the community of Tumbler Ridge yesterday has traumatised us all,” Prince George Bishop Stephen Jensen said in a statement released on Wednesday morning.
Nine people were confirmed dead, including the suspect, and dozens were injured after a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a nearby residence.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald identified the suspect as Jesse Van Rootselaar, The Australian reports.
The suspect was found dead at the scene from what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Two people — Van Rootselaar’s 39-year old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother — were found dead at the suspect’s home, Deputy Commissioner McDonald said.
A 39-year-old female teacher, three 12-year-old female students and two male students aged 12 and 13 were killed at the school, according to police.
Tumbler Ridge, a northeastern British Columbia community of about 2500 people, is located about 400 kilometres northeast of Prince George within the Prince George Diocese.
The town has one Catholic parish, Holy Cross Mission, served by Our Lady of Peace Parish in Chetwynd, about an hour northwest. There is no Catholic school.
Messages of prayer and solidarity poured in from across the country to the parish’s Facebook page.
Fr Jeevan Bandanadham SAC, parish priest of Holy Cross Mission in Tumbler Ridge and Our Lady of Peace Parish in Chetwynd reached out to parishioners on Tuesday evening, saying he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the shooting.
“I am very concerned for each of you. I sincerely hope that you and your families are safe and doing well. Please know that you are in my heartfelt thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” Fr Bandanadham said.
Bishop Jensen said in his statement, “The most effective response we can offer for the intentions of the dead and the survivors, their families, the emergency responders, the parish community and town, is our own prayer and penance, which God has provided that we can use to address suffering and help bring mercy and healing to all.”
FULL STORY
Prince George bishop calls for prayer, penance, saying Tumbler Ridge shooting ‘has traumatised us all’ (Catholic Register)
Accused Canada shooter an 18-year-old known to police (By Victoria Albert and Jack Morphet, The Australian)
