Funeral for 12-year-old victim of trans Tumbler Ridge shooter canceled over threats against family

The funeral planned in Tumbler Ridge for Kylie Smith, a 12-year-old who was killed in a school shooting last week, has been canceled due to potential threats made against her family, according to a report by Tumbler RidgeLines.

The local outlet reported that Smith’s father revealed that there have been legitimate potential threats from “direct threats made to our family's safety by a very dangerous person" and that "We cannot risk any further endangerment to this community."

A post from a funeral home showed that a celebration of life was planned for Smith on Saturday at the Trend Mountain Conference Centre, open only to Tumbler Ridge residents, friends, and family.

“The family of Kylie wishes to extend their deepest and most heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has shown love, support, and kindness during this incredibly difficult time,” an obituary read.

Smith was one of eight people killed in a shooting last week after 18-year-old trans-identifying suspect Jesse van Rootselaar killed his mother and step-brother before going to a school in the town and killing five children and a teacher. Smith’s father, Lance Young, previously told CTV News that “She was just a beautiful soul. She loves art and anime. She wanted to go to school in Toronto, and we just loved her so much. She was thriving in high school,”

Smith’s 15-year-old brother Ethan hid inside a utility closet during the shooting.

“I soaked in that moment watching them walk in the door together, for whatever reason,” her father added. “I didn’t know it would be the last time.”