A sense of grief and shock has descended upon Hollow Water First Nation, following a mass stabbing on Thursday morning that left one woman dead, several others injured, and the suspect deceased. Authorities have now confirmed the identities of those involved as the community struggles to come to terms with the devastating violence.
Victims Identified
The RCMP has named 18-year-old Marina Free Simard as the victim who tragically lost her life in the attack. Another victim has been identified as Jenny Isabel Bushie, the mother of the suspect and a close relative of Marina. Jenny survived the assault but suffered serious injuries.
A third victim, Michael Raven, also sustained multiple stab wounds. According to his children, Jordan Hamilton and Christy Williams, Raven had been asleep at home when the suspect forced entry, woke him, and attacked. He was stabbed several times, leaving him with a punctured lung and other critical injuries. Despite the severity of the assault, Raven is reported to be awake, alert, and able to communicate with his family.
“The community is all shaken up from it. This is not something that happens in Hollow Water,” said Christy Williams. “It’s frightening for everyone. But this one tragedy does not define who we are as a community.”
Scope of the Attack
Authorities confirmed that at least eight people ranging in age from 18 to 60 were injured during the rampage. Six were transported to Winnipeg hospitals by road, while two others were airlifted by STARS air ambulance for urgent treatment.
The severity of the incident triggered a Code Orange Alert—a mass casualty protocol—at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre. While the alert was lifted later in the morning after patients were stabilized, the declaration underscored the scale of the emergency.
Suspect and Police Collision
RCMP later confirmed that the suspect, Tyrone Simard, died after being involved in a serious vehicle collision with a responding RCMP officer. The female officer, who was badly injured in the crash, is expected to make a full recovery following medical treatment.
Authorities emphasized that there is no ongoing risk to the public. However, investigators remain on the ground in Hollow Water to gather evidence, and Highway 304 was temporarily closed in both directions near Black River First Nation as part of the investigation.
Health Authorities Respond
Shared Health issued a statement acknowledging the magnitude of the tragedy and expressing sympathy for the victims and their families:
“We were alerted to a mass casualty event on Hollow Water First Nation this morning. A Code Orange Alert was declared at the Health Sciences Centre shortly thereafter. Multiple patients were brought in with varying levels of acuity. Our thoughts are with the victims, patients, families, and loved ones.”
Community Reaction and Support
The events have left the tight-knit Hollow Water community, located roughly 160 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, in a state of collective grief. Local leaders and residents are rallying together, organizing vigils, prayer circles, and support services for affected families.
Community members stress that while the violence has shaken Hollow Water to its core, it does not define the spirit of resilience that has long characterized the people who live there. Efforts are already underway to provide counseling and healing spaces for survivors and loved ones.
Ongoing Investigation
The RCMP is expected to release further details at a scheduled news conference in Winnipeg later today. For now, families, friends, and neighbors are leaning on each other for strength, offering prayers especially for the recovery of Jenny Bushie and others still fighting their injuries.
This tragedy has not only claimed lives but also left deep emotional scars. Still, the community stands united in mourning, healing, and honoring those affected.