😢 “She was just a beautiful soul… the light in our family.” 😢

In the quiet mountain town of Tumbler Ridge, a father’s words are breaking hearts everywhere after the unimaginable loss of his 12-year-old daughter Kylie Smith in Tuesday’s devastating school tragedy.

Lance Younge shared through tears how he watched Kylie walk off to school that morning with her brother Ethan—waving goodbye like any other day, soaking in the simple moment of them heading through the doors together. He had no idea it would be the last time he’d see her smile, hear her laugh, or hug her tight.

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In the small, tight-knit mining community of Tumbler Ridge, where neighbors know each other’s routines and children walk to school together, grief has settled heavily following one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings. Among the victims was 12-year-old Kylie Smith, remembered by her father, Lance Younge, as a “beautiful soul” and the “light in our family.”

In interviews with CTV News and other outlets on February 11 and 12, 2026, Younge described the ordinary morning of February 10 that ended in unimaginable loss. “I let her go to school with her brother Ethan in the morning,” he said, his voice breaking. “And just… I soaked in that moment, watching them walk in the door together for whatever reason. And I didn’t know it would be the last time they go to school together.”

Kylie, a seventh-grader at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, left home as usual, excited about her day. She loved art, anime, and had ambitions of attending art school in Toronto. Family members described her as gentle, kind, and full of life—someone who “lit up the way everywhere she went,” according to her mother Desirae Pisarski’s Facebook post. “She had the biggest heart and was such a loving, caring girl,” Pisarski wrote.

Younge, speaking publicly for the first time since the tragedy, urged other parents to cherish every moment. “Hold your kids tight, tell them you love them every day. You never know,” he told CTV, tears streaming. He emphasized focusing on the victims rather than the perpetrator: “She was just a beautiful soul. She’s a light in our family. She loved art and anime. She wanted to go to school in Toronto, and we just loved her so much. She never hurt a soul.”

The shooting unfolded on a Tuesday afternoon when 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar allegedly killed her mother, Jennifer Jacobs (also reported as Jennifer Strang), 39, and 11-year-old stepbrother Emmett Jacobs at their home before heading to the school armed with firearms. At the school, the suspect opened fire, killing five students—Kylie Smith, 12; Zoey Benoit, 12; Ticaria Lampert, 12; Abel Mwansa, 12; and Ezekiel Schofield, 13—and a 39-year-old female education assistant, Shannda Aviugana-Durand. More than two dozen others were injured.

Kylie’s brother Ethan survived by hiding in a utility room and later contacted his father. Younge recounted the agonizing hours of uncertainty: He spent six hours at the local recreation center where families reunited, searching for news of his daughter. Police provided little information initially, and he learned details through community members and students. “I went home not knowing where my daughter was until a high school kid came here and told us her story about trying to save my daughter’s life,” he said.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed the victims on February 12, releasing names and ages to allow families to grieve publicly. A GoFundMe campaign set up by Kylie’s aunt raised significant funds quickly to support the family during this time of loss.

Younge and other relatives have called for attention to shift toward the victims’ stories and acts of heroism, including students who attempted to help others. “Let’s remember them, not this murderer,” the family urged in statements, echoing a common sentiment among grieving parents who want their children’s legacies to define the narrative.

The tragedy has shaken a community of roughly 2,500 residents, many connected through school, work, or extended family ties. Memorials of flowers, candles, stuffed animals, and notes have grown outside the school and in public spaces. Vigils have drawn hundreds, with residents holding signs reading “Tumbler Ridge Strong” and sharing memories of the lost children.

Kylie’s family highlighted her innocence and dreams: She was thriving in school, passionate about creative pursuits, and deeply loved by those around her. Her aunt described the family’s world as having “crumbled” upon learning of her death, with no words to capture the magnitude of the pain.

Broader tributes from other families paint a similar picture of bright, promising young lives cut short. Ticaria Lampert’s mother called her a “blazing light in the darkness”; Zoey Benoit was remembered as “the strongest little girl you could meet.” These personal stories underscore the profound human cost beyond statistics.

Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the nation, expressing shock and mourning while pledging support for the community. British Columbia officials have promised reviews of mental health services and gun access protocols, though Canada maintains strict firearm laws. The RCMP continues its investigation, with no motive publicly confirmed.

For Lance Younge and his family, the focus remains on honoring Kylie. In a world forever changed by one morning’s routine goodbye, her father’s words serve as a poignant reminder: Life’s ordinary moments can become the last. As Tumbler Ridge heals, Kylie’s light—her kindness, creativity, and love—continues to inspire calls for compassion, remembrance, and holding loved ones close.