Canada’s Carney, opposition leader hold hands during school shooting vigil
South China Morning Post
by Associated PressFebruary 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre came together in an emotional display of unity during a vigil for victims of one of Canada's deadliest school shootings. The event took place in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, where the pair held hands as an Indigenous leader sang a prayer outside the town hall. This gesture symbolized national solidarity amid grief, with both leaders acknowledging the tragedy that claimed six lives, including five children and an educator.
The shooter, identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, was an 18-year-old who killed her mother, Jennifer Jacobs, and 11-year-old stepbrother, Emmett Jacobs, in their home before targeting Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. There, she fatally shot five students and an educator before taking her own life. Carney expressed his condolences, emphasizing that the victims' families should feel supported even after media attention fades. He reassured Canadians that the nation stands united in times of sorrow.
This incident highlights the rarity of school shootings in Canada, where strict gun control measures have been implemented following previous mass shootings. The vigil not only marked a moment of collective mourning but also underscored the importance of unity among political leaders during such crises. Carney's speech reflected a broader commitment
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/14/2026