“We are trying to support everyone we can through this.”
That is from Reverend Gerald Krauss from the New Life Assembly Church in Tumbler Ridge following yesterday’s (Tuesday) mass shooting in the South Peace community.
Krauss told Vista Radio the tight-knit community has been rocked to its core after this tragic incident.
“We didn’t want to be known for something like this. We are known for a destination and to be outdoors. It’s just a beautiful location and it’s going to change our town forever now.”
“This is a very small town where everyone knows everyone so it is quite a tragic thing that has taken place here and it affects every person in town.”
Krause and his wife wasted little time in assisting the community after being notified of the active shooter alert.
“People were calling and we left the church and went down to the community centre as all of the children were coming into the hockey arena along with the parents and everyone was looking for their children.”
“Everyone had met at the hockey arena after the elementary school kids were at their lockdown and everyone from the high school came into the community centre and that is where people contacted each other.”
The shooting claimed the lives of nine people including the shooter.
“Devastation is probably not a strong enough wrong word.”
Peace River South Conservative MLA Larry Neufeld is in Tumbler Ridge today (Wednesday) following Tuesday’s mass shooting.
Neufeld stated a tragedy such as this is a non-partisan matter and is grateful for the support shown from his colleagues across the floor.
“This tragedy is about the victims and the families of the victims and politics does not play a part in this.”
“This doesn’t happen in rural B.C., this doesn’t happen in a beautiful community such as this and it doesn’t happen in my back yard.”
Flags at Parliament, and all federal or provincial government offices in B.C., will fly at half-mast.
