Ottawa commits more than $4 million after Tumbler Ridge shooting

The federal government is providing more than $4 million to support people affected by February’s mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. Public Safety Canada said some of the money will address priorities identified by the community.

Up to $2.5 million will go to the Canadian Red Cross for people affected by the shooting. A further $500,000 is being provided to B.C.’s Ministry of Public Safety to expand victim-service capacity and improve readiness for large-scale incidents.

The federal government is also allocating $1.15 million to Shift BC, a provincially led program intended to support local service providers and families in preventing violence connected to hate and extremism.

The 18-year-old shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, killed her mother and brother at home before fatally shooting five children and an educational assistant at the local secondary school, then killing herself. Ottawa said it will continue working with provincial and local authorities to ensure supports are available.