People in Faro, Yukon, gather to honour shooting victims

People in Faro, Yukon, are still coming to grips with Tuesday's violence that left two people dead,another critically injured, and another local resident in jail and facing murder charges.

Dozens in the community gathered on Wednesday evening for a candlelight vigil to honour the victims.

"I'm here to support the community," said Jonah LaFleur, as he made his way to the gathering near the local school. Residents stood huddled by a fire, many holding candles, as dusk fell.

"The community needs to come together and support one another and I'm part of that community so I decided to show my face."

Details of what exactly happened on Tuesday, and why, are still sketchy. But police confirmed on Wednesday that two local residentswere killedand another man critically injured in an hour-longshooting rampage that unfolded at several spots around town.

Court documents identify the victims as42-year-oldSaenduean Honchaiyaphum, and 73-year-oldPatrick McCracken. Both were found dead in separateresidences, according to police.

The suspect, 61-year-old Ralph Bernard Shaw, is in custody and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, twocounts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault. He's due to appear in court next Wednesday.

MayorLeonard Faberdescribed the feeling in town as "shock and sadness." He said on Wednesday that he'd spent the previous day mostly in a sort of dazeof disbelief.

"People just don't know what to think. You know what I mean? It'ssort of unbelievable it happened here," Fabersaid.

Faro, population 457, is about 360 kilometres northeast of Whitehorse. It was once a northern boomtown, home to thelargest open pit lead-zinc mine in the world, but the long-closed mine is now a toxic siteand a road sign bills Faro as"Yukon's Best Kept Secret."

"It'sa tight-knit community and and it's unique because there's a lot of people stayed here through the hard times. You know what I mean? And people love it here," Faber said.

Russell Truman, another local resident, said at the vigil that what happened Tuesday is "the last thing I would ever expect" in Faro.

"Most people move here to get away from the big cities, the big problems. Like, we're in the middle of nowhere, you'd never think this would happen in your backyard," he said.

Yukon's premier said on Wednesday that supports were being sent to Faro, includingsocial workers, counselors, mental health nurses, psychologistsand peer support workers.

TheRoss River Dena Council based in the community of Ross River, about an hour's drive from Faro planneda healing ceremony on Thursday for the community. A fire will be tended for four days, in keeping with First Nation traditions.

"I can't express how happy I am that they're willing to come to Faroand do that," Faber said.

"It's just good to see that people care. You know, it isn't just an isolated community. It'sshowing that they care... that's a big thing."