At least nine people have died following a devastating shooting at a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The suspected gunman was also found dead at the scene, and several others were injured in what authorities describe as one of the deadliest school attacks in Canada in decades.
Police said six victims were discovered inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Another person later died while being transported to hospital. Two additional bodies were located at a nearby residence believed to be connected to the incident.
The suspected shooter was found deceased inside the school with what investigators believe to be a self-inflicted injury.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police entered the school shortly after reports of an active shooter. During their search, they encountered multiple victims and located the suspected gunman.
Two people were airlifted to hospital with serious or life-threatening injuries, while approximately 25 others were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local medical centre.
RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd confirmed that investigators know the identity of the suspect but have not released a name. Authorities have not yet determined what may have motivated the attack and are still working to understand how the victims were connected to the shooter.
Community in Shock
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his condolences to the families affected, saying he was devastated by the violence. He said federal officials are in close contact with provincial and local counterparts to ensure the community receives the support it needs.
In the immediate aftermath, both Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School were placed under lockdown measures. Officials deployed significant emergency resources to the area, including additional RCMP officers and ambulance crews, though few operational details were released while the situation was unfolding.
School shootings are uncommon in Canada, making the tragedy especially shocking for residents of Tumbler Ridge, a small community located more than 1,000 kilometres north of Vancouver near the Alberta border. The secondary school serves approximately 175 students from Grades 7 to 12.
As investigators continue their work, the tight-knit town is left grieving and searching for answers in the wake of an unthinkable loss.
