Crime
12‑year‑old Kylie May Smith killed in Tumbler Ridge Secondary School Shooting
The family of 12-year-old Kylie May Smith is mourning an unimaginable loss after confirming she was among the victims killed in the tragic shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia.
Kylie’s aunt, Shanon, shared the heartbreaking news in a public statement, explaining that the young girl was inside the school when the gunfire erupted and did not survive.
“Yesterday our family received the gut-wrenching news that our beautiful Kylie May was confirmed to be one of the victims in the Tumbler Ridge school shooting,” she wrote. “She was just 12 years old. We are completely devastated and have no words as we try to process the magnitude of the situation.”
Authorities report that Kylie was among more than two dozen students and staff wounded when a suspect opened fire at approximately 1:20 p.m. At least seven people were killed at the school, while two additional victims were discovered at a nearby residence believed to be connected to the attack. The suspect was also found dead at the scene.
Officials have not yet finalized the identification of all victims and continue to investigate the timeline, motive, and circumstances surrounding the violence.
Students who survived described barricading themselves inside classrooms for hours, fearing the attacker might attempt to force entry. Video from the aftermath showed students exiting the building with their hands raised as law enforcement surrounded the campus and a helicopter monitored the situation from above.
The secondary school, which serves about 175 students, along with the local elementary school, will remain closed for the rest of the week as the community grieves.
Shanon explained that much of Kylie’s immediate family lives on Vancouver Island, while her mother, Desirae — Shanon’s sister — had only recently relocated after spending nearly 12 years in Tumbler Ridge. Tragically, Desirae had not seen her daughter in several months.
Kylie’s brother had just returned north from Vancouver Island and is now facing the devastating reality of losing his sister.
“Kylie’s dad and stepmom are caring for her brother and stepbrother right now, and their world — our world — has crumbled,” Shanon wrote.
To help the family navigate the difficult weeks and months ahead, Shanon established a fundraising effort that will support travel expenses, immediate family needs, and eventually a memorial to honor Kylie’s life.
“We will also be using the funds for a memorial for Kylie, or as her parents see fit, to remember the beautiful, kind, innocent soul she was,” she said, adding that further details will be shared once the family has had time to process the tragedy.
She also extended compassion to others affected by the shooting.
“My heart aches for the other families involved and for the loss of their children. I am so sorry. To the families with children still in the hospital — keep fighting. We are sending you prayers.”
Tumbler Ridge — a close-knit mountain town of roughly 2,400 residents in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies — is widely regarded as a safe and welcoming community known for its natural beauty, including lakes, waterfalls, hiking trails, and internationally recognized dinosaur fossil sites.
Mayor Darryl Krakowka said the tragedy has shaken the town to its core.
“I broke down,” he said. “It is devastating. I have lived here for 18 years — I probably know every one of the victims. This community is like a big family.”
British Columbia Premier David Eby noted that police officers reached the school within minutes of the first emergency calls, highlighting the rapid response by first responders.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also expressed the nation’s sorrow.
“I am devastated by this shooting. I join Canadians in mourning with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today, and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect others.”
The attack is being described as one of the most significant acts of mass violence in Canada in recent years, prompting renewed conversations about safety and prevention while communities focus on supporting survivors and grieving families.
As investigators continue their work, Tumbler Ridge remains united in grief — remembering the young lives lost, including 12-year-old Kylie May Smith, and offering strength to those still fighting to recover.
For now, a town waits, mourns, and leans on one another in the face of profound sorrow.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Authorities in Cleveland are seeking the public’s assistance after the bodies of two unidentified young Black girls were discovered inside separate suitcases buried in shallow graves Monday evening in a residential area on the city’s East Side.
The victims are believed to be between the ages of approximately 8 and 14, according to police.
As of Tuesday, investigators said there were no active missing persons reports in Cleveland that match the descriptions of the children, and their identities remain unknown.
The cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.
The discovery was made shortly after 7:00 p.m. near East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue, in a field adjacent to Ginn Academy.
A man walking his dog in the area told authorities that his dog began pulling toward a fence line near a playground. When he investigated, he noticed a suitcase that appeared to be partially buried in the ground.
The man told police he unzipped the suitcase and observed what appeared to be a child’s head inside before immediately contacting authorities.
Officers from the Cleveland Division of Police responded to the scene and confirmed the presence of a shallow grave containing a deceased child inside the suitcase. As detectives and crime scene investigators canvassed the surrounding area, they located a second shallow grave nearby. A second suitcase was recovered, also containing the body of a young girl.
During a news conference, Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd described the incident as “a terrible, horrific situation” and acknowledged the profound emotional impact on responding officers and the community.
“This is a traumatic event for our officers and for the community,” Todd said. “This is such a tragic incident, and we are working diligently to develop any leads we can. That’s why we are asking for the community’s help.”
Investigators have not yet determined how long the girls had been buried at the location. Chief Todd emphasized that authorities believe the deaths did not occur recently, though the exact timeline remains under investigation.
“We know that this didn’t just happen,” she said. “We still have to determine exactly when this occurred. At this time, we do not have any indication that this presents a clear, ongoing threat to public safety.”
The bodies have been transported to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, where autopsies will be conducted to establish the cause and manner of death, as well as to assist in identifying the victims.
Police confirmed that the bodies had not been dismembered.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the case, including possible sightings of suspicious activity in the area or knowledge of missing children who may not have been formally reported, to contact the Cleveland Division of Police or Crime Stoppers.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.