A father’s final goodbye to his 12-year-old daughter has become a moment he will never forget after the Canada school shooting claimed her life.
Lance Young dropped his daughter, Kylie Smith, off at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on the morning of February 10, not knowing it would be the last time he would see her. Hours later, police responded to reports of an active shooter at the school in the small British Columbia community of about 2,400 people.
Authorities said officers arrived within minutes and found multiple victims inside the school. The violence left nine people dead, including the suspect.
What Happened
Police identified the suspect as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar. Investigators confirmed that the suspect first attacked at home, killing her mother and 11-year-old stepbrother, before carrying out the shooting at the school.
Officials have not publicly confirmed a motive. The suspect died by suicide following the attack.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police continue to investigate the incident. Information about the RCMP response can be found on rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
A Family’s Plea
Kylie Smith was one of the youngest victims. She was just three months away from her 13th birthday.
Speaking to CTV News, her father described Kylie as “a beautiful soul.” He urged media outlets and the public not to center coverage on the shooter.
“If you want to put someone’s picture up on the news, put my daughter’s picture up,” Lance said. “Let’s stop giving this psychopath the recognition. These kids were lost before they even became teenagers.”
Kylie loved anime and art. Her father said she dreamed of studying in Toronto one day.
He also offered a message to other parents: “Hold your kids tight. Tell them you love them every day, because you never know.”
Community in Mourning
The shooting has shaken Tumbler Ridge, marking one of the deadliest incidents in Canada in recent years. Schools in the area have offered counseling services for students and families.
Canadian leaders have expressed condolences as investigations continue. Details about Canada’s federal response to gun violence can be found on canada.ca.
For Kylie’s family, however, the focus remains deeply personal. They want the world to remember the children whose futures were cut short, not the person who carried out the attack.
“These kids mattered,” Lance said. “That’s what people should remember.”