Edmonton Daily Digest — Feb 12, 2026

Heartbreaking loss: Sarah Lampert spoke Thursday about her 12‑year‑old daughter Ticaria ("Tiki"), who was among eight people killed in the Tumbler Ridge school shooting and left a single mother of eight grieving and seeking help (a GoFundMe was set up for funeral costs). A community vigil is scheduled for Friday and Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to attend as residents mourn.

From the shooter’s father: Justin VanRootselaar issued a short statement saying he was estranged from his son Jesse (assigned male at birth) and that he “carries a sorrow,” while asking for privacy for his family. RCMP said police had visited the shooter’s home previously, firearms were seized years ago then returned, the shooter’s gun licence expired in 2024, and a long gun plus a modified handgun were found at the scene.

Survivors describe a terrifying lockdown: Students like Duncan Mckay and Zachary Taylor say alarms sounded just before 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 10, classes barricaded doors and some were locked inside for about 2 hours 40 minutes — later seeing bullet damage and blood. Eight people were killed at the school (five students and an educator among them) and the shooter was later found dead, and Mayor Darryl Krakowka warned the town will need long‑term support.

No mail for two weeks: Edson, Alta. (pop. ~8,700) has had regular mail service suspended since a Jan. 29 water leak flooded its post office, affecting rural Yellowhead County too. Canada Post says it’s working on contingency plans and hopes to resume service possibly by the end of the week, but local businesses say the disruption is hurting them.

False gun reports spike across Alberta: In the wake of Tumbler Ridge, RCMP dealt with several school calls in High River, Fort McMurray, Sherwood Park and Edson that mostly proved false or involved replica guns; officers urge people to report anything suspicious. Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith and Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides will ask school boards to audit security; charges were laid in related incidents (including an 18‑year‑old, Anthony White, in Fort McMurray).

Who the victims were: Reporting lists victims by name and age — children Kylie (12), Ticaria/Tiki (12), Zoey (12), Abel Mwansa Jr. (12), Ezekiel Schofield (13), educator Shannda Aviugana‑Durand (39), plus the shooter’s mother Jennifer Strang (39) and an 11‑year‑old boy in the shooter’s home. A community vigil is set for Feb. 13 and officials, including the prime minister, are expected to attend.

Alberta invests $143M in K–6 supports: The province is funding 476 new "complexity teams" (each with 1 teacher + 2 educational assistants) after studying 89,000 classrooms in 1,549 schools; $129M goes to highest‑priority schools and $14M to ones with unique challenges. More than half the teams go to metro boards (Calgary 118, Edmonton 101) and the government says this targets rising classroom complexity early.

Student unsure how to return to school: Grade 12 student Darian Quist, who was in mechanics class during the Feb. 10 lockdown, says it will be hard for many to come back after five students and a teacher were killed and the shooter, identified as 18‑year‑old Jesse Van Rootselaar, died. Schools are closed for the rest of the week and the community is holding vigils and offering supports.

Ticats sign veteran receivers Gittens Jr. and Bridges: The Hamilton Tiger‑Cats signed Kurleigh Gittens Jr. (62 catches, 777 yards, 4 TDs last season; 314 career catches, 3,756 yards, Grey Cup champ) and Shemar Bridges (117 catches, 1,294 yards, East top rookie in 2024). Both were CFL free agents and bring experience to Hamilton’s receiving corps.

B.C. mourns together: Premier David Eby visited Tumbler Ridge and spoke at a vigil, calling the town "incredibly strong" but clearly in shock after the shooting that killed six at the school and two at a home. Federal public safety minister Gary Anandasangaree and other officials are offering support, and Mayor Darryl Krakowka thanked them for being "boots on the ground."

Jerky‑throwing man charged near Edson school: RCMP say a 39‑year‑old man from Dawson Creek showed up at a school, threw beef jerky at students, shouted Bible verses, produced a cap (replica) gun and allegedly fired at a principal before fleeing. He was tracked down after a highway pursuit, arrested near Hinton and charged with mischief, dangerous driving, fleeing and imitation firearm offences.

Hilary Duff’s Lucky Me World Tour will visit nine Canadian cities: The tour launches June 22, 2026, and includes Canadian stops such as Toronto (Aug. 12, 2026) and Edmonton (Jan. 27, 2027 at Rogers Place); La Roux and Jade LeMac open 2026 dates, Lauren Spencer Smith opens 2027 dates. Duff also has a new album, Luck… Or Something, due Feb. 20.

A father’s path to forgiveness: Dale Lang, whose 17‑year‑old son Jason was killed in the 1999 Taber, Alta. school shooting, says forgiveness and faith helped his family heal and re‑engage with the school community. Lang shared his experience to offer hope to Tumbler Ridge families and wrote a book, "Jason Has Been Shot!" about the journey.