At least nine people have died following a school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The suspected shooter is also dead, and several others were injured in one of Canada’s most severe school attacks in decades.
Six victims were found inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, and another died while being transported to hospital, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported. The suspected shooter was located at the school with what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury. Two more victims were later found at a nearby residence in the community.
Chaos and Emergency Response
Police responded quickly to reports of an active shooter, entering the school to locate the threat. RCMP confirmed multiple victims were found inside the building, along with the deceased suspect. Two additional victims were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, while about 25 others received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries at a local medical centre.
RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd said authorities know the identity of the shooter but are not releasing the name. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and police are investigating how the victims were connected to the suspect.
Schools on Lockdown
Both Tumbler Ridge Secondary and the town’s elementary school were placed on lockdown following the attack. Officials deployed extensive RCMP and ambulance support to the community, though details were limited to avoid compromising the ongoing investigation.
Tumbler Ridge is a small town located more than 1,000 kilometres north of Vancouver, near the Alberta border. The secondary school has around 175 students in grades 7 through 12.
National Response and Condolences
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, offering condolences to the families and friends of the victims. He emphasized that the federal government is working closely with local authorities to support the affected community.
In a post on X, Carney described the events as devastating and praised Canadians’ ability to come together in moments of crisis, highlighting empathy, unity, and compassion as the nation’s strengths in the face of tragedy.
