Vigil in Armstrong to remember victims in Tumbler Ridge shooting

Published 5:30 am Friday, February 13, 2026

In wake of the Tumbler Ridge shooting, many support services are available to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week: Interior Crisis Line Network: 1-888-353-2273; Suicide Crisis Helpline: 988; KUU-US (Indigenous) Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717; Métis Crisis Line: 1-833-638-4722; Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868.

A vigil has been organized in Armstrong this weekend, providing residents with the chance to take the action that may matter most in the immediate aftertmath of one of Canada’s deadliest mass killings: stand in solidarity with the people of Tumbler Ridge.

The vigil will be held in Memorial Park at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, just a few days after Tuesday’s devastating mass school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, which has left nine dead, including the suspected shooter, and 27 injured as of Thursday.

Armstrong is a town roughly twice the size of Tumbler Ridge, which has 2,400 residents. But Armstrong is still a small town, and small towns may be particularly shaken by a newfound understanding that such tragedies can happen anywhere — not just in large urban centres.

Armstrong resident Kristin McCallum, who is organizing the vigil, spoke along those lines.

“I think especially for people like us in Armstrong that live in a small community, you kind of forget that these things can happen anywhere. I think we kind of feel immune to it, living in a smaller town,” she said.

McCallum said the primary objective of the vigil is to support the people of Tumbler Ridge. Another objective is to bring awareness about mental health challenges and how to alleviate them throughout society, in big cities and in small towns alike.

“None of us should be sending our kids to school and saying goodbye to them in the morning and not having them come home,” McCallum said.

She said the people of Armstrong are feeling a deep sense of pain. They’re trying to grieve and pay respects in the only ways they can in these early days since the tragedy: with words and symbols. Some residents were eager to see the flags in their city flown at half-mast, which was done by 9 a.m. Wednesday.

“They’re taking it to heart,” McCallum said of her fellow residents.

The city released a statement recognizing the Tumbler Ridge shooting and the victimsThursday morning, and announced that flags will be flown at half-mast in the city until sunset on Feb. 17.

“We mourn the lives lost and hold their families and loved ones in our thoughts as they face this unimaginable loss. We are also thinking of those who were injured and wish them strength and a full, steady recovery. Beyond those directly harmed, we recognize the many others whose lives have been forever changed, and we know the entire community is carrying the profound weight of shock and sorrow,” the city said.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to the first responders, healthcare professionals and frontline workers who stepped forward with courage, compassion, and unwavering resolve, far beyond the call of duty.”

McCallum chose to kickstart the vigil after deciding that “something needed to be done” locally to support Tumbler Ridge and spread the sort of mental health awareness that could prevent future tragedies.

People attending Saturday’s vigil are invited to bring candles, preferably battery-operated ones. McCallum is encouraging people not to bring items to leave in the park that city staff will need to clean up. People can meet in the field by the gazebo.

She said people can support victims by donating. Lake View Credit Union in Tumbler Ridge has set up a donation account to help coordinate aid for the most impacted by the shooting. Those looking to make a contribution can send an e-transfer to trstrong@lvcu.ca. Questions or inquiries can be directed to the credit union at 250-782-4871.

All are welcome to attend the vigil. Those who wish to share a few words at the event will be invited to do so.