TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — Abel Mwansa Jr. has been identified as one of the nine victims killed in the devastating mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northern British Columbia. The tragic attack, which also left 25 others injured, has left the small community in profound mourning.

Authorities confirmed that the shooting occurred inside the school, shattering what had begun as a normal school day. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, transporting the injured to area hospitals and securing the campus as families desperately sought information about their loved ones.

Abel Mwansa Jr. is being remembered by friends and classmates as a bright and kind-hearted individual whose presence brought warmth to those around him. Those who knew him describe him as thoughtful, respectful, and full of promise — a young life taken far too soon in an act of senseless violence.

Community members have gathered for vigils, lighting candles and sharing memories as they attempt to process the magnitude of the loss. Grief counselors remain available to students, families, and staff as the town grapples with the emotional aftermath of the tragedy.

Law enforcement officials continue their investigation into the shooting, while leaders across the province and nation have expressed condolences and solidarity with Tumbler Ridge.

As the community mourns Abel Mwansa Jr. and the other victims, there is a shared commitment to honoring their memories — remembering not how they died, but how they lived, and the joy and hope they brought into the world.