A gun attack left nine people dead and dozens injured at a secondary school and a nearby residence in a secluded community in western Canada on Tuesday, before the suspected gunwoman ended her own life.
The violence unfolded in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, a scenic town nestled in a mountain valley at the edge of the Rocky Mountains.
According to a statement from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), 27 individuals sustained injuries. Two victims remain in serious condition, while 25 others suffered wounds that are not considered life-threatening.
Although Canadian news outlets have indicated that the suspected attacker was a woman, the RCMP declined to disclose specific details about the individual’s identity during a press briefing held Tuesday.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “devastated” by the “horrific acts of violence” and confirmed he would cancel his planned trip to the Munich Security Conference on Wednesday. He had been scheduled to engage with international partners on issues concerning transatlantic defence preparedness.
Law enforcement officials revealed that they received reports of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday afternoon.
While clearing the school premises, officers discovered six victims who had been fatally shot. A seventh person suffering from gunshot injuries later died while being transported to hospital.
In a separate development, authorities located two additional deceased individuals at a residence within Tumbler Ridge.
Police noted that the home is “believed to be connected to the incident.”
Inside the school, “an individual believed to be the shooter was also found deceased with what appears to be a self-inflicted injury,” police stated.
In a public message, the municipal government of Tumbler Ridge expressed its grief, saying, “There are no words sufficient for the heartbreak our community is experiencing tonight.”
A student at the school, Darian Quist, recounted to CBC that he was attending a mechanics class when an announcement was made placing the school under lockdown.
He explained that at first he “didn’t think anything was going on,” but soon began receiving “disturbing” images depicting the devastation inside the school.
“It set in what was happening,” Quist said.
He remained confined in lockdown for over two hours before police officers entered the classroom, instructing students to raise their hands and escorting them safely out of the building.
Darian’s mother, Shelley Quist, described the emotional moment she reunited with her son after authorities declared the area secure.
“He’s not going to be out of my sight for a while now,” she told the CBC.
Trent Ernst, a local journalist who once worked as a substitute teacher in Tumbler Ridge, told AFP that one of his children had recently graduated from the school.
“There’s been troubled kids here in town before,” he said.
Authorities have yet to release information regarding the ages of either the suspect or the victims.
‘Horrific violence’
Incidents involving mass shootings are uncommon in Canada. However, in April, 11 individuals lost their lives in Vancouver during a vehicle attack that targeted a Filipino cultural festival.
British Columbia Premier David Eby described the tragedy as “unimaginable.”
Ken Floyd, commander of the RCMP’s northern district, characterised the event as “a rapidly evolving and dynamic situation.”
“This has been an incredibly difficult and emotional day for our community, and we are grateful for the cooperation shown as officers continue their work to advance the investigation,” he said.
Police confirmed that officers are conducting searches of additional homes and properties in the area to determine whether other locations may be linked to the attack.
Tumbler Ridge is a small and peaceful community of approximately 2,400 residents, situated more than 1,100 kilometres (680 miles) north of Vancouver, the province’s largest city.
“We are devastated by the loss of life and the profound impact this tragedy has had on families, students, staff, and our entire town,” the municipality stated.
What you should know
Nine people were killed and 27 injured in a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a nearby residence in British Columbia.
Police say the suspected shooter was found dead from what appears to be a self-inflicted injury. Authorities are investigating possible links between the school and a residence where two additional victims were discovered.
The tragedy has shaken the small community of about 2,400 residents and prompted Prime Minister Mark Carney to cancel international travel plans. Mass casualty shootings are rare in Canada, making the incident particularly devastating nationwide.
