Former Winnipeggers living in Tumbler Ridge devastated after school massacre

“Heartbreak” was the only way former Winnipeg resident Don McPherson could describe his emotions after a mass shooting left nine people dead in his adopted home of Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

Like many of his fellow residents, McPherson, the community’s former mayor, was trying to make sense of the events that unfolded Tuesday.

“I said this morning it’s going to be hard to talk to people without crying. In fact, I’m in tears now,” he said from his home in Tumbler Ridge Wednesday morning.

“I don’t think anybody in town is not touched by this. The names (of the victims) haven’t come out yet, but I’m sure I know a lot of them. It’s just devastating for this little town.”

RCMP said six victims — five students and a teacher — were found dead inside a high school, and two people — the suspect’s mother and stepbrother — were found inside a home. The 18-year-old suspected shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, died from a self-inflicted injury.

McPherson, 76, grew up in Winnipeg until his family moved to Edmonton when he was about 15. He’s lived in Tumbler Ridge, set in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, for more than 40 years.

Now retired, he got to know many residents during his nearly 30 years as a service station owner, and his 18 years as a district council member.

McPherson was at a farm that he owns just outside of Tumbler Ridge when he began hearing sirens Tuesday. The wailing continued, so he decided to head back into the community, where his home is located.

He assumed something bad happened when he drove past several RCMP vehicles outside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on his way home.

An active shooter alert, issued by RCMP, urged people to stay inside and lock their doors. Police later confirmed the number of deaths.

“I said this morning it’s going to be hard to talk to people without crying. In fact, I’m in tears now.”

“Twenty-four hours before this happened, I don’t think there’s anyone in town that thought this could happen in Tumbler Ridge,” McPherson said.

He was comforted by the outpouring of grief and support from people around the world.

“I just don’t know how we get past this, but I’m sure we will,” McPherson said. “People are backing us up and supporting us. We need it.”

Billy Templeton, a former Winnipeg resident who lives in Tumbler Ridge, said he was in shock when he learned about the shooting while he was at work.

“My heart goes out to all the families and loved ones lost in this extremely tragic event,” he wrote in a text message. “We are a small town with a great supportive community, and we are going to help each other any way we can.

Niverville resident Randy Radies, 57, graduated from Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in 1986. He was devastated by the events in his former hometown.

“I was very sad to know that innocent little kids were not making it home to their parents,” he said in an emotional interview. “I wish there was something I could do.”

Radies remembered Tumbler Ridge as a small, close-knit community in the 1980s, echoing how McPherson and Templeton described it in the present day.

“My condolences to the families. I hope they can get through this and be strong,” Radies said.

Tumbler Ridge is home to about 2,400 people. The high school has 160 students between grades 7 and 12, according to its website.

April Thompson, a former Winnipegger who’s lived in Tumbler Ridge for six years, said she was numb following the incident.

“I never thought this tragedy would come to our little town,” she said from Winnipeg, where she is visiting family.

“No words can express the sadness I feel for these innocent victims and their families. Also for the first responders of our town. What they had to go through is horrific.”

Politicians, emergency services and school divisions were among those in Manitoba who offered messages of condolence and support to the people of Tumbler Ridge.

Premier Wab Kinew described the shooting as an “unthinkable tragedy.”

“Schools should always be places of safety and care. Manitoba stands with our friends and relatives in British Columbia as they grieve this heartbreaking loss,” he wrote on social media.

“No community should ever have to endure such pain, and I hope you feel the support of those across the country who are holding you in their thoughts,” Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan said in a post.

Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs Rebecca Chartrand, the Liberal MP for Churchill-Keewatinook Aski, said her heart was heavy.

“To the families facing the unthinkable, all of Canada mourns with you. In this profound loss, we stand together as one,” she wrote on social media. “We are grateful for first responders and health-care teams who have been a steady presence on this dark day.”

“My heart is shattered with the devastating news out of Tumbler Ridge,” Conservative MP Branden Leslie (Portage-Lisgar) said on social media. “As a father, I can’t imagine the pain the families of victims are carrying today. I ache alongside the entire country and send all my strength and love to your community.”

NDP MP Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) also expressed heartbreak.

“Our schools are places that deserve the utmost safety and care, where no young person should ever have to live in fear,” she said on social media.

“While community members grieve this devastating tragedy, it’s incumbent on all leaders to take real steps to ensure such an act of violence cannot ever happen again.”

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca