Canadian flags are flying at half-mast throughout the Okanagan within the wake of the capturing tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
It’s a solemn image of grief that for some native residents is deeply private.
“Nothing will ever be the identical. Nothing will ever be the identical for any of them,” mentioned Kelowna resident Shannon Fischer.
Fischer has quite a few relations who dwell within the small northeastern city, together with a niece and nephew.
She says each have been inside the college, the place a number of kids and a instructor have been killed Tuesday.
“The pit in my abdomen that was, ‘Oh no, oh no, oh no.’ The ideas that undergo your head of, ‘Oh no,’” she informed World Information as she described what went by means of her thoughts when she first heard concerning the capturing.
“I used to be terrified. I used to be completely terrified.”
Whereas her relations made it out secure, Fischer was compelled to arrange a candlelight vigil in honour of these affected.
“To indicate solidarity, present assist and simply let everyone know that, what, we’re all hurting,” Fischer mentioned.
In Penticton, there’s a comparable occasion additionally being deliberate.
Get breaking Nationwide information
For information impacting Canada and around the globe, join breaking information alerts delivered on to you after they occur.
It too is being organized by a Penticton lady, who has household dwelling within the grief-stricken city.
“This actually struck a chord,” Hope Byrne mentioned. “It got here very near residence.”
Byrne’s household contains three kids who attend the college.
“Fortunately, the three kids are all bodily unhurt, though I think about that the trauma of this incident can be long-lasting,” Byrne mentioned.
Byrne mentioned the collective ache of so many prompted her to create an area and time to return collectively to grieve and honour the lives misplaced.
“It’s vital for us to lean on one another as a group, to attempt to present assist and solace to 1 one other,” Byrne mentioned.
Penticton’s candlelight vigil will happen on Sunday at Skaha Lake Park beginning at 4:30 p.m.
In Kelowna, residents may also collect on Sunday.
Kelowna’s vigil will happen at Stuart Park beginning at 7 p.m.
These attending are inspired to convey a candle.
“Let’s rally collectively as a group,” Fischer mentioned. “Let’s have the ability to present Tumbler Ridge our assist.”
The tragic occasion left eight folks lifeless, six of them kids between the ages of 11 and 13.
The 2 adults who died have been a instructor and the shooter’s mom.
The shooter, recognized as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, additionally died from what police have confirmed to be a self-inflicted wound.
Greater than two dozen folks have been injured, a minimum of two critically.
© 2026 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
