The sibling of a 12-year-old girl who tragically lost her life in a fatal school shooting incident in Canada reached out to their parents during the harrowing event.
Kylie Smith was among the eight individuals slain by Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, before the shooter took her own life at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in a secluded town in British Columbia, Canada.
Van Rootselaar also targeted her mother, stepbrother, an 11-year-old, a female teacher, and three girls and two boys aged between 13 and 17. The parents of Kylie disclosed that her brother, who was also present during the school attack, made a distressing call while hiding.
Kylie’s father, Lance Younge, recounted how he dropped off Kylie and Ethan, 15, at school that morning without realizing it would be the last time he saw his daughter alive. Lance expressed his anguish in an interview, recalling the moment he watched his children enter the school together.
Jenny Geary, Kylie’s stepmother, shared that they became concerned when Ethan sent a troubling message, indicating that he was hiding in a utility room and unsure of Kylie’s whereabouts.
Lance described the anguish he experienced as he searched for his child following the tragic incident, criticizing the lack of information provided by the authorities and expressing gratitude to a high school student who shared details about trying to save Kylie.
Reflecting on Kylie’s character, Lance paid tribute to his daughter, highlighting her love for art, anime, and aspirations to study in Toronto. He emphasized her kind nature, support for LGBTQ causes, and how she was thriving in high school.
Kylie, who was nearing her 13th birthday, was remembered fondly by her family, who emphasized the devastating impact on their community and others. The motive behind the shooting remained unclear, with Prime Minister Mark Carney extending condolences to the affected families in Tumbler Ridge.
In a show of solidarity, the nation mourned the loss alongside the grieving community, emphasizing support for those affected by the tragic incident.
