Canada’s PM to join mourners in remote town after mass shooting

2026-02-13 - 01:56

People bring flowers and pay their respects at a community vigil in Tumbler Ridge two days after the rural community experienced one of Canada’s deadliest shootings. (AFP pic) TUMBLER RIDGE: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will on Friday join mourners in a remote mining town that is grieving after eight people were killed in a mass school shooting. Such violence is rare in Canada, which has strict gun control laws unlike in the neighbouring US. Police say they do not know the motive of the 18-year-old shooter, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Carney will attend a vigil in Tumbler Ridge in memory of the victims, and he invited leaders from all political parties to join him in the town, his office told AFP. Near the school, a bouquet of flowers and stuffed animals were placed at the foot of a tree. Yellow police tape surrounded the school buildings and a snow-covered volleyball court. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Thursday named the victims, and some families have released testimonials about the slain children. “Seeing you leaving the house with that beautiful smile while going to Tumbler Ridge High school was so refreshing,” the father of 12-year-old Abel Mwansa Jr said on Facebook. “I saw a bright future, a leader, an engineer, also a scientist in you,” said