Nine people were killed and 27 others injured in a shooting at a secondary school and a nearby residence in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, on Tuesday. Police said the suspected gunman was later found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said officers responded to reports of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday afternoon. Six people were found dead inside the school, while a seventh victim died en route to hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound.
Two additional bodies were discovered at a residence in the town, which police believe is connected to the attack. Authorities have not released details about the identities or ages of the victims or the suspect. Canadian media reported that the shooter was female, but police declined to confirm this.
A total of 27 people were injured, including two in serious condition. The remaining 25 sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to the RCMP.
Prime Minister Mark Carney described the incident as “horrific acts of violence” and said he was “devastated” by the tragedy. He announced he would suspend plans to attend the Munich Security Conference in order to remain in Canada.
Students described chaotic scenes as the school went into lockdown. Darian Quist told CBC he was in mechanics class when the alert was issued. “It set in what was happening,” he said, adding that police later entered the classroom and escorted students out with their hands raised.
The municipality of Tumbler Ridge, a town of about 2,400 residents located more than 1,100 kilometres north of Vancouver, said the community was overwhelmed with grief. “There are no words sufficient for the heartbreak our community is experiencing tonight,” it said in a statement.
British Columbia Premier David Eby called the violence “unimaginable,” while RCMP Northern District Commander Ken Floyd described the situation as “rapidly evolving and dynamic.” Police said they are searching other properties in the area to determine whether additional sites are connected to the attack.
Mass shootings are rare in Canada, though the country has experienced isolated large-scale attacks in recent years. Investigations into Tuesday’s shooting remain ongoing.
