‘Death list’ targeting students leaves B.C. community on edge

Families in a small B.C. town are scared for their children’s safety after a so-called “death list” targeting 16 students was posted online.

Parents in a small B.C. community are on edge after learning about a “death list” targeting 16 students that was circulating online.

“We were horrified to think that kind of thing could happen in our small, close-knit community,” said Falkland grandmother Lori-Ann Rohrback.

“It brings up a lot of questions that aren’t getting answered,” she said.

Parents told CTV News the “death list” targeted kids attending high school in Armstrong, about a half-hour drive away from Falkland. Some of the teens on the list are from Falkland.

“Absolute shock. Absolutely in shock to see my child’s name on a death list,” said one Falkland parent who did not want to be identified, but said she had seen the list.

“When my teen goes out in the community (now), we make sure someone is with them. I’ve actually sent dog spray,” the mom said.

Falkland families said the teen who allegedly wrote the list lives near their community’s elementary school.

“Last week, kids were kept inside on several occasions, both at recess and lunch because the individual was seen walking in proximity of the school,” said parent Matthew Heneghan.

Rohrback said parents have formed a watch group to keep an eye on the school when the kids are outside, but she said her own grandkids are being kept at home.

“We attempted to take them back to school last Tuesday, and that’s the day the youth was witnessed on the school field…and had restrictions not to be on school property,” she said.

The parent whose teen is on the list, said the school district has been slow to provide information.

“Parents whose kids are on list were not phoned (by school officials) until two days after they were made aware of the list,” she told CTV News Friday.

Other parents also believe information from the district has been inadequate and that their concerns have been dismissed.

“In the shadow of Tumbler Ridge, I don’t think you can be too cautious when it comes to something like this,” said Heneghan.

In February, eight people, six of them children, were killed at a school and home in the small town in one of the worst mass shootings in Canadian history. The shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, was a former student in Tumbler Ridge and was found dead inside the school.

The superintendent of schools for the Falkland and Armstrong areas said she recognizes the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge has understandably heightened anxieties across the province and acknowledges the impact this has had on students, families and staff.

Donna Kriger said they are working with the RCMP and Safer Schools Together.

“I can assure the families of our school district that all threats are taken seriously and addressed through a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach,” she said in a written statement to CTV News, explaining that much of the work occurs behind the scenes.

“To protect the integrity of investigations and the privacy of those involved, we are mindful about sharing sensitive information publicly. In this situation, families directly impacted were provided with additional details and the general public has received appropriate updates,” she wrote.

Parents have also said their request for ongoing police patrols of the elementary school in Falkland have been largely ignored.

“I feel like even having a police presence intermittently within Falkland would be of great help,” explained Heneghan.

The RCMP said they are continuing an investigation after being notified about “concerning online behavior”. They said one person was arrested in relation to this incident and has since been released on strict conditions.

“As we continue our investigation, it’s important the community knows (the) school and students are safe,” said Const. Chris Terleski of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP in a news release.

In an email, he told CTV that “appropriate safety measures remain in place and are being closely monitored.”

But Rohrback said it’s frustrating they can’t get regular police patrols near the elementary school, given how many RCMP officers were stationed at the ostrich farm in Edgewood last year before the ordered cull of birds.

“We’re only asking for one officer to patrol school days,” she said.

The parent whose teen is on the list said while the alleged author walks around the community, “it just feels like my child’s freedom has been taken away.”

Rohrback and Hannegan said they just want what’s best for the children, but also hope the alleged author of the death list gets the help they need so their community can return to what it was.

“We’re all at wits end. We don’t know where to go,” said Rohrback.