😢 “Besties Forever in Heaven” — They were just 12 years old. Inseparable friends who shared sleepovers, secrets, classes, and laughter. Kylie Smith and Ticaria “Tiki” Lampert did everything together… and now, in the wake of the unimaginable tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, a tiny B.C. town of 2,400 is mourning them side by side.

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In the remote mountain community of Tumbler Ridge, population 2,400, life has always moved at a slower pace. Coal mining once defined the town, but today it’s families, hockey rinks, and a single secondary school serving Grades 7-12. On February 10, 2026, that quiet rhythm shattered when an 18-year-old former student carried out a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a nearby home, killing eight people—including five children—and injuring 27 others. The suspect, Jesse Van Rootselaar, died by suicide at the scene.

Among the victims were two 12-year-old girls whose friendship has become a poignant symbol of the tragedy: Kylie Smith and Ticaria “Tiki” Lampert. Described by family and friends as inseparable “besties” who shared everything from classes and sleepovers to secrets and daily adventures, the pair died together in the attack. A photograph released by the Vancouver Sun, taken just one day before the shooting, captures them smiling broadly, jumping on each other’s backs amid classmates— a snapshot of carefree youth now frozen in grief.

Ticaria’s mother, Sarah Lampert, spoke emotionally at a press conference, tears streaming as she remembered her daughter as “a loving, courageous, humorous, one-of-a-kind kiddo” and “everything to me.” She described Ticaria as a “gift from the very start,” an “energiser bunny” who bridged age gaps among her seven siblings and prioritized friends and family above all. In a GoFundMe set up for funeral costs, the family wrote that Kylie and Tiki “did everything together… sharing their last day together.” Ticaria’s mother added that the girls would remain “besties forever in heaven.”

Kylie’s family echoed similar sentiments. Her father told CTV News she was “a beautiful soul” who loved art, anime, and dreamed of attending university in Toronto. She was gentle, caring, and couldn’t hurt a fly, relatives said. The two girls’ bond—forged through shared classes, laughter, and everyday moments—has resonated deeply across Canada, highlighting the profound loss of innocence in one of the country’s deadliest school shootings in decades.

The attack began at a residence on Fellers Avenue, where Van Rootselaar killed her 39-year-old mother, Jennifer Jacobs (also known as Jennifer Strang), and 11-year-old half-brother, Emmett Jacobs. Van Rootselaar then proceeded to the secondary school, armed with firearms, and opened fire in areas including the library and stairwells. Victims there included three other 12-year-olds—Zoey Benoit, Abel Mwansa Jr.—and 13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield, along with 39-year-old educator Shannda Aviugana-Durand.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald described the school shootings as random, with the suspect “hunting” victims rather than targeting individuals. None of the children appeared to have been specifically singled out. Twenty-seven people were injured, including 12-year-old Maya Gebala, who was airlifted to British Columbia Children’s Hospital in Vancouver after being shot while attempting to lock a library door to protect classmates, and Paige Hoekstra, also 12, shot in the chest.

Van Rootselaar, who had dropped out of the school about four years earlier, had a documented history of mental health interactions with police. Reports indicate prior calls to the residence and online activity that included reposts of content related to other school shootings. Authorities have not released a confirmed motive, and the investigation continues.

The small-town dynamic has amplified the shock. Mayor Darryl Krakowka told CBC that in Tumbler Ridge, residents aren’t just neighbors—they’re family. “I will know every victim. I’ve been here 19 years, and we’re a small community,” he said. Trent Ernst, a local voice in media coverage, spoke of the collective heartbreak, noting how everyone knows the kids on the street and their parents.

Community response has been swift and unified. Vigils have drawn hundreds placing flowers, teddy bears, and notes at memorials outside the school and town hall. British Columbia observed an official day of mourning, with Prime Minister Mark Carney visiting to meet families and officials. Premier David Eby was on the ground early, and provincial resources poured in for counseling and support.

Families have shared tributes emphasizing the victims’ vibrancy. Abel Mwansa’s father recalled his son’s “beautiful and genuine smile” and love of science. Zoey Benoit was remembered as “resilient, vibrant, smart, caring and the strongest little girl.” Educator Shannda Aviugana-Durand was described by colleagues and friends as a hero and sister figure.

Survivors have begun speaking out. One student recounted hiding in a locked storage room during the chaos, while others expressed survivor’s guilt. The school’s 175 students now face long-term trauma support as classes remain suspended.

Canada’s strict gun laws make such events rare, heightening national disbelief. The tragedy has sparked renewed discussions on mental health resources in rural areas, school safety protocols, and early intervention for at-risk youth.

As funerals begin and the investigation deepens, Tumbler Ridge clings to memories of the children lost. Kylie and Ticaria’s story—of two best friends whose lives intertwined so completely that they left this world together—serves as a heartbreaking focal point. Their families’ words capture the essence: inseparable in life, forever linked in remembrance.

The RCMP continues to urge anyone with information to come forward. For a town forever changed, healing will be slow, but the outpouring of support from across Canada offers a measure of solace amid the sorrow.