Grace comes in the wake of horror in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

At a vigil in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., Friday night, just days after eight victims were killed in one of Canada’s most horrific school shootings, Elder George Desjarlais of West Moberly First Nations prayed.

Before beginning, he told the hundreds of people gathered: “We all need to join hands.”

Residents wept, hand in hand.

The prime minister, the leader of the official opposition and the governor general stood side by side, hand in hand.

Desjarlais sang for those lost and for those remaining to have the courage to pursue healing.

The terrifying and tragic shooting of Feb. 10 has devastated the small community of Tumbler Ridge, nestled in the northern foothills of the Canadian Rockies near the Alberta border.

An “instant town” built in 1981 for coal workers and their families, local legend has it the area was named after the rocks that tumbled down the slopes of a nearby mountain range.

After the mines shut down in the 2000s, the town rebranded itself as one abundant in epic adventure. Twenty-six years ago, two boys found dinosaur footprints — four-toed ankylosaur tracks — stamped into the bedrock south of town, kick starting further paleontological discovery in the geologically rich region.

Many who visit Tumbler Ridge dream of retiring to the quiet, remote community, where you can drive from the south end of town to the north in just four minutes. 

The peace of Tumbler was shattered Tuesday, Feb. 10, when local RCMP got a report of an active shooter at the local high school just before 2:30 p.m. MT.

Residents were urged to shelter in place, lock doors and avoid leaving their home or work while police investigated.

Officers arrived at the school within two minutes.

What they found was horror.

Six victims died in the school. Five of them were students aged 12 and 13; the sixth, a 39-year-old education assistant.