In Victoria, the father of 12-year-old Abel Mwansa Jr. expressed his deep gratitude to the governments of Zambia and Canada, as well as local MP Bob Zimmer, for their support in repatriating his son's body after he was tragically killed in a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, on February 10. The heartfelt message, shared on social media, indicates that after much effort, Abel Mwansa Jr. is now "back home for a befitting funeral" set to take place on Monday in Kitwe, Zambia.

On February 10, Abel was one of eight victims in a horrifying shooting incident where Jesse Van Rootselaar fatally shot her mother and 11-year-old half-brother at their residence before moving to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where she tragically killed five students, an educational assistant, and then herself. The incident shocked the community and raised questions regarding safety and mental health issues among youth.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Zambia announced that Abel's body arrived in Zambia by airplane on Saturday. A delegation, including Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe and Corry Van Gaal, Canada’s chargé d’affaires, received the body upon its arrival. Van Gaal expressed his condolences, conveying deep regret over the tragedy and offering heartfelt sympathies to the Mwansa family in this difficult time as they prepare to say their final goodbyes.

Abel Mwansa Jr. and his family moved from Zambia to Tumbler Ridge in 2023, seeking better career opportunities. Following the tragedy, Abel's father shared his emotional struggles, reflecting on his son’s absence and revealing his feelings of loss and grief. He described how he felt as if his son were still present in familiar places such as school, church, or the community center, expressing his sorrow that leads him to “cry every day,” often weeping uncontrollably in his dreams.

A close family friend, Christopher Bwalya, remembered Abel as a “respectful” and “responsible” young boy, stating that his untimely death has left everyone who knew him in tears. The community mourns the loss profoundly as they come to terms with the devastating incident, aiming to support the family through their time of grief.

As the Mwansa family prepares for Abel's funeral in Kitwe, Zambia, the impact of this tragedy resonates far beyond Tumbler Ridge. It serves as a grim reminder of the solitude that follows such heartbreaking events and emphasizes the importance of community support in times of loss.