Canada is grieving after a devastating shooting incident in the small town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, where nine individuals lost their lives and at least 25 others sustained injuries on Wednesday.
The tragic events, which occurred at both a secondary school and a nearby residence, represent one of the most lethal shootings in the country in recent decades.
On Tuesday, February 10, six victims were discovered deceased within Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, with a seventh succumbing to injuries while being transported to the hospital.
Authorities also located the suspected shooter at the school, who seemed to have died from a self-inflicted wound. Additionally, two more victims were found at a nearby home, which law enforcement believes is linked to the shooting.
Tumbler Ridge, a secluded community with a population of approximately 2,400, is situated about 415 miles north of Vancouver and hosts a secondary school with around 175 students. A student recounted to CBC that during the shooting, peers assisted in “getting tables and barricading the doors” to ensure their safety.
“It felt as though I was in a place I had only witnessed on television,” stated Darian Quist, a Grade 12 student, in an interview with CBC.
Chief Superintendent Ken Floyd of the Canadian federal police confirmed that the deceased suspect found at the school corresponds to the description that was sent out in an alert to residents’ mobile devices earlier that day.
The alert characterized the individual as a “female wearing a dress with brown hair.”
Although authorities believe they have identified the attacker, they have not disclosed additional information, including any potential links the suspect may have had with the school. Floyd recognized that uncovering the motive will be difficult:
“I believe we will find it challenging to ascertain the ‘why’, but we will endeavor to understand what occurred,” he remarked during a virtual press briefing. “We are not currently in a position to comprehend why or what might have driven this tragedy.”
In a statement, the RCMP said:
In response to the active shooting incident, law enforcement entered the school to identify the threat. During their search, officers discovered several victims. They also found an individual believed to be the shooter, who was deceased from what seems to be a self-inflicted injury.
Prime Minister Mark Carney conveyed his condolences, labeling the event a “horrific” tragedy:
“I am heartbroken by the horrific shootings that occurred today in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families and friends mourning the loss of their loved ones due to these violent acts.”
British Columbia’s Premier David Eby characterized the shooting as an “unimaginable tragedy” and encouraged the community to support each other in the wake of the incident:
“I urge the residents of British Columbia to take care of the people of Tumbler Ridge this evening,” he stated.
Mass shootings are infrequent in Canada. The nation’s most deadly previous incidents include the 1989 Montreal mass shooting, which resulted in 14 fatalities, and a 2020 rampage in Nova Scotia that claimed 22 lives. In response to these tragedies, Canada implemented stricter gun control regulations, including a national buyback initiative for military-style firearms.
Authorities have yet to disclose the identities of the victims or provide details regarding the firearms involved. Approximately 100 students and staff were evacuated from the school, which, along with the local elementary school and college, remained closed for the remainder of the week.
Tumbler Ridge, established as a coal-mining community in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is enveloped by wilderness and situated near the Alberta border. This shooting is regarded as the third-deadliest in Canadian history.
