Montrealers commemorated the 20th anniversary Friday of the shooting that killed 18-year-old student Anastasia De Sousa and injured 19 others.
The tragedy took place on Sept. 13, 2006.
Photo of Anastasia De Sousa at the 20th anniversary of the Dawson College shooting’s commemorative ceremony in Montreal on Sept. 11, 2026. (Lola Kalder, CityNews)
The Dawson College community, along with alumni, retirees, friends and supporters, gathered at Dawson College’s Peace Garden to honour the victims and those affected by the tragedy.
Speaking about the tragedy, former Quebec premier Jean Charest, became emotional as he recalled meeting with the parents in the aftermath of the Dawson College, saying he has never forgotten that conversation.
The Peace Garden was created through a grassroots initiative that raised funds to establish a space for remembrance and hope.
Anastasia’s memory lives on
Two decades later, De Sousa’s mother, Louise De Sousa, continues to reflect on the immense loss of her daughter, a pain she says has never gone away. Louise says she has learned to live with the grief while holding tightly to her lasting memories of her daughter.
“I miss her tremendously. That’s for sure. I always say it’s not fair what happened, but for some reason, there’s a reason why it happened. And I hate saying that there’s a reason, but I think that’s my only way to accept it, to move on.”
Louise says that although she and her husband will always carry their grief with them, they chose to move forward for the sake of their two other children and to use their pain to help others.
The De Sousa family honours Anastasia’s memory by sharing her story with students. Louise hopes that speaking openly about the tragedy will encourage young people to support one another and recognize when someone may be struggling.
Friday’s gathering will serve as an opportunity for the Dawson community to remember those who were lost, reflect on the lasting impact of the tragedy and honour the strength of those who continue to carry its memory.
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