A memorial for the victims of a mass shooting at a high school in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., on Feb. 13.Jesse Winter/The Globe and Mail
RCMP say they are investigating threats that have circulated online and within the community of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., on the same day that the funeral for one of the victims in the mass shooting had to be cancelled.
Police did not offer specifics on the threats but said on Saturday that officers have connected with the mayor and community leaders to ensure ongoing communication and public safety planning.
“The RCMP is aware of threats that have circulated online and within the community and we can confirm that an investigation is under way. A safety plan is in place for the individual(s) and community as the investigation continues,” the statement said.
A message posted online by the Tumbler Ridge Chamber of Commerce and attributed to the family of Kylie Smith, who died in the shooting at the local secondary school, said her service had to be cancelled and that the family had been “moved to a safe location.”
It said the family “couldn’t risk anymore violence in this amazing town.”
“From what we are hearing, we are at least the third family of the deceased to be harassed or threatened by people from their past since this awful tragedy took place, Like we aren’t all dealing with enough already,” the message said.
On Feb. 10, Jesse Van Rootselaar shot and killed her mother and 11-year-old half-brother at their home in the community. Police say she then went to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School where she killed five students, an educational assistant and then herself.
The small community of fewer than 3,000 people became the centre of international attention, including visits from federal and provincial politicians, including Prime Minister Mark Carney.
News of the threats come as both federal and provincial leaders are condemning reports that the artificial intelligence company OpenAI had concerns about Rootselaar’s interactions with its ChatGPT program prior to the shootings, but did not inform police.