At least nine people were killed and several others injured in a tragic school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, on Tuesday. The suspected shooter was also found dead, in what has been described as one of Canada’s deadliest school attacks in decades.
Victims Found at School and Nearby Home
Police reported that six people were discovered dead inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, while another victim died en route to hospital. The suspected shooter was found at the school with what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury.
During the investigation, authorities also located two additional victims at a nearby residence believed to be connected to the incident. About 25 others were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local medical centre. RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd confirmed that the identity of the shooter is known but has not been released, and the motive remains unclear.
Schools Locked Down and Emergency Response
Both Tumbler Ridge Secondary and the nearby elementary school were placed on lockdown following the incident. Emergency services, including RCMP officers and paramedics, were deployed in large numbers to the small town. Officials withheld some details to avoid compromising the ongoing investigation.
Tumbler Ridge is a remote community more than 1,000 kilometres north of Vancouver, near the Alberta border. The secondary school has roughly 175 students in grades 7 through 12.
National Leaders Respond to the Tragedy
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his deep condolences to the families and friends of the victims, emphasizing that the government is working closely with local authorities to support the community.
“I am devastated by today’s horrific shootings in Tumbler Ridge, BC. My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones,” he wrote on X. He added that Canada’s strength lies in its ability to come together in moments of crisis, showing empathy, unity, and compassion.
School shootings remain rare in Canada, making this tragedy particularly shocking for both the local community and the country as a whole.
