A mass shooting at a high school and a nearby residence in the remote town of Tumbler Ridge in northeastern British Columbia, Canada, has left ten people dead, including the suspected shooter, and more than 25 others wounded, police said Tuesday.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that six victims were found dead inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School after officers responded to reports of an active shooter at about 1:20 p.m. local time. Another person died while being transported to hospital, and two more victims were discovered dead at a residence believed to be connected to the incident. The suspected shooter was found deceased from what appears to be a self-inflicted wound, authorities said.
At least 25 others suffered injuries in the attack, with two patients reported in serious or life-threatening condition and many others treated for non-life-threatening wounds. Emergency services from surrounding communities were mobilized, and some victims were airlifted for urgent medical care.
The RCMP said there is no indication of additional suspects or ongoing threat to the public. Investigators have identified the shooter, described in an early police alert as a female with brown hair wearing a dress, but authorities have not publicly released a name pending family notifications and further investigation. No motive for the attack has yet been established.
Tumbler Ridge, a town of about 2,400 residents nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is served by a single secondary school with roughly 175 students from grades 7 to 12. The RCMP, working with local emergency responders and provincial officials, evacuated students and staff and placed the area on lockdown as the situation unfolded.
British Columbia’s Premier David Eby described the shootings as an “unimaginable tragedy” and pledged provincial support for families and the town’s recovery. Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger said her office would deploy every available resource to assist the investigation and community response.
Schools in Tumbler Ridge, both the secondary and the elementary, have been closed for the remainder of the week, according to a statement from the local school district. Officials have urged residents to check on neighbors and support one another in the aftermath of the attack.
School shootings are rare in Canada, and this attack is one of the deadliest in the country in recent years. As investigators continue to piece together the timeline and motive, authorities have cautioned against speculation and asked the public to await official briefings.