Mall shooting was 'a violent act committed against someone who worked to serve local children and families'
The victim of a murder-suicide in British Columbia on Monday was a worker employed by the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development.
The confirmation was made by the premier's office in a written statement Tuesday afternoon.
"This was a violent act committed against someone who worked to serve local children and families," reads the statement. "It's a tragic event for the tight-knit community of Prince Rupert."
Friends and family have identified the woman as 52-year-old Patty Forman
On the day of the incident, the 44-year-old male suspect entered Ocean Centre Mall and shot a woman before "turning the gun on himself" at around 8:30 a.m. PT, said Prince Rupert RCMP spokesperson Const. Brody Hemrich, according to a CBC report.
Forman died before she could be taken to hospital, according to the report.
RCMP said the shooter knew the woman who was killed. He was taken to hospital in critical condition but was dead by Monday evening.
“Our thoughts are with the victim of this horrific tragedy, their family and friends,” said the B.C. officials. “This remains an ongoing police incident and an active investigation.”
Meanwhile, Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond called the incident "truly tragic,” according to CBC.
