Father's Heartbreaking Tribute to 12-Year-Old Son Killed in Tumbler Ridge School Shooting
In an emotional Facebook post that has captured national attention, Abel Mwansa described how his 12-year-old son was killed in what has become one of the worst mass school shootings in Canadian history. The tragedy unfolded at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northeastern British Columbia, where six people were found dead inside the school building.
A Child Who Loved School
Mwansa revealed that his son, also named Abel, had such a deep affection for school that he cried when his father once suggested home schooling. "One day I came up with an idea that he should do home school but he cried that I love being at school," the grieving father wrote in his social media tribute.
The father described raising his son "to respect elders, answer to one call, be strong, work hard," and to focus on his studies while "never miss school." On the morning of the shooting, the young Abel had asked his father to pick him up after class at church, where he planned to attend a youth meeting, "for he loved the Lord."
The Tragic Events Unfold
"Our son went to school this morning and it happened that someone came to school with a GUN went to my kids classroom shot some kids and my son was killed too just like that," Mwansa wrote in his emotional post.
Hours after his son left for school, Mwansa learned the devastating news that his child had been shot "like a stray dog murdered in cold blood." The father expressed his anguish, saying he treasures the "12 years and 11 months we spent with you" and noted that God didn't take his son, "but death did."
Scope of the Tragedy
The shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School represents one of the most devastating school shootings in Canadian history. According to reports, nine people were killed and at least 27 more injured in the community of Tumbler Ridge on Tuesday.
The breakdown of victims includes:
- Six victims found dead inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School
- One victim who died while being transported to hospital
- Two more victims discovered in a nearby home
Police confirmed that the only suspect was found dead inside the school from a self-inflicted injury, bringing the total death count to ten including the perpetrator.
Community and National Impact
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the small community of Tumbler Ridge and across Canada, raising difficult questions about school safety and gun violence. The incident represents one of the deadliest school shootings in the nation's history, surpassing previous tragedies in both scale and impact.
As families grieve and the community begins the long process of healing, Mwansa's tribute stands as a poignant reminder of the individual lives lost in mass violence. His words about his son's love for school, his faith, and his promising young life cut short have resonated with Canadians from coast to coast.
The investigation continues as authorities work to understand the full circumstances surrounding the shooting, while support services mobilize to assist the traumatized community and the families of victims.
