A close-knit mountain community in northern Canada was plunged into shock and grief following a devastating shooting that left ten people dead and dozens injured on Tuesday afternoon. The tragedy one of the deadliest in Canada’s recent history unfolded at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a residence believed to be connected to the attack.
Local authorities confirmed that six victims were found inside the school, marking the first site of the attack, while two additional bodies were discovered at a nearby home. A seventh person later died while being transported to hospital, bringing the confirmed death toll to nine victims, with the suspected shooter also dead, believed to have taken her own life.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which led the response, said the suspected gunman was located inside the school and appeared to have died from a self-inflicted injury, adding that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The victims — whose identities have not been released due to privacy considerations — included students, staff and community members. At least 27 others were injured, with two critically wounded and airlifted to medical facilities outside the town for specialised care, according to police statements.
The ordeal began just after 1:20 p.m. local time, prompting an emergency alert that instructed residents to shelter in place. Teachers and students at the secondary school — which serves roughly 175 pupils from Grades 7 to 12 — were placed in lockdown, with some reporting they barricaded doors with tables to shield themselves.
First responders and RCMP officers arrived swiftly, entering the school as part of a coordinated effort to locate the shooter and secure the campus. All remaining students and staff were evacuated safely, although the emotional toll on families and classmates has been profound.
Tumbler Ridge, a remote community of about 2,400 residents nestled in the foothills of the Rockies, has long been known for its tight-knit social fabric and relative tranquillity. Local officials have described the town as “a big family,” where many people know one another well.
Mayor Darryl Krakowka said he was “devastated” by the loss, indicating that the shootings have “irreversibly changed” the community. Many residents took to social media to express their shock and sorrow, saying they could not fathom how such violence had struck their once peaceful town.
National leaders rushed to offer condolences and support. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the shootings as “horrific,” expressing deep sorrow for the victims’ families and gratitude for first responders’ courage. Carney also announced the postponement of planned travel in light of the tragedy.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said the attack was an “unimaginable tragedy,” underscoring the rarity of such violence in Canada, a country with strict gun laws relative to other nations.
Police have confirmed that the identity of the alleged shooter has been established but will not be publicly released at this time, citing privacy and the early stage of the investigation. Authorities also said they are striving to determine any connection between the victims and the shooter, as the motive remains unclear.
Local schools have been closed for the rest of the week, with counselling services offered to students, staff and families. Meanwhile, the community grapples with shock and mourning, struggling to come to terms with a tragedy that has shaken the heart of this remote Canadian town.
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