A quiet town in northern British Columbia was shaken Tuesday after a deadly shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School left at least nine people dead. The suspected gunman was also found dead at the scene, and dozens of others were injured in one of the country’s most devastating school attacks in decades.
Police said six victims were discovered inside the school building. Another person died while being transported to hospital. Officers responding to reports of an active shooter entered the school to locate and neutralize the threat. During their search, they found multiple victims as well as the suspected shooter, who appeared to have died from a self-inflicted injury.
Two additional bodies were later found at a nearby home believed to be connected to the incident.
Victims and Investigation
In total, authorities confirmed that six people were killed inside the school, not including the suspect. Two others were airlifted to hospital with serious or life-threatening injuries, while approximately 25 more individuals were treated at a local medical centre for injuries considered non-life-threatening.
RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd said investigators have identified the suspected shooter but are withholding the name for now. The motive behind the attack remains unknown.
“We are not in a place to understand why or what may have motivated this tragedy,” Floyd said, adding that officers are still working to determine how the victims may have been connected to the suspect.
Community and Government Response
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his condolences to the families affected and said the federal government is in close contact with local officials to ensure support is available to the community.
In a message shared publicly, he said he was devastated by the violence and extended his prayers and sympathies to those who lost loved ones. He also highlighted the importance of unity and compassion in moments of crisis.
Earlier in the day, both Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School were placed under lockdown as a precaution. Local MLA Larry Neufeld said an extensive emergency response was deployed, including RCMP officers and ambulance services, though specific operational details were limited while the situation unfolded.
A Rare and Shocking Event
School shootings are uncommon in Canada, making the tragedy even more jarring for the small community. Tumbler Ridge, located more than 1,000 kilometres north of Vancouver near the Alberta border, is home to roughly 175 students enrolled in grades 7 through 12 at the secondary school.
As investigators continue their work, residents are left grappling with grief and searching for answers in the aftermath of a day that has forever changed their town.
