At least 10 people, including the suspected shooter, have died in a mass shooting at a high school in the Canadian province of British Columbia, authorities said Tuesday. The incident unfolded at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in the small town of Tumbler Ridge, located in the foothills of the Rockies.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported that six people were found dead on the school grounds, while another victim died en route to hospital. Police also discovered two additional fatalities at a residence believed to be linked to the shooting. The ages of the victims have not been released.
RCMP Northern District commander Ken Floyd said investigators have identified a female suspect but have not disclosed her name. A public alert described her as wearing a dress with brown hair. Floyd added that the suspected shooter was found dead from what appears to be a self-inflicted injury.
Two people sustained life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to hospital, while roughly 25 others received treatment at a local medical facility for non-critical wounds, according to the RCMP. All remaining students and staff were evacuated safely from the school.
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation. Floyd said the RCMP’s Major Crimes Unit is leading inquiries and officers are continuing to search other properties in the community for any additional sites connected to the incident. “We are not in a place now to be able to understand why and what may have motivated this tragedy,” he said.
Read also: Brown University Shooting Video Released: key details redacted
Students at the school described a tense and frightening ordeal. Darian Quist, a grade 12 student, told CBC Radio West that he and other classmates barricaded doors with tables for more than two hours. “The reality of it all is starting to set in,” Quist said. “I believe I knew somebody, but everything is still very fresh.” He noted that his year group is small, with only about 20 students.
Tumbler Ridge is a remote township of fewer than 3,000 residents, situated more than 1,100 kilometres (685 miles) north of Vancouver. Mayor Darryl Krakowka said the tragedy has left the community in shock. “I broke down when I learned how many had died. It’s devastating,” he said, describing the town as a “big family” where he likely knew many of the victims personally.
British Columbia Premier David Eby called the shooting an “unimaginable tragedy” and pledged government support for affected families and community members. “Our hearts are in Tumbler Ridge tonight with the families of those who have lost loved ones,” he said in a statement.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney reportedly cut short plans to attend a security conference in Munich, Germany, to manage the response. On social media, Carney expressed solidarity with those impacted, praising first responders for their “courage and selflessness” during the incident.
Read further: Canada: Ten Dead In Tumbler Ridge High School Shooting
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre described the attack as “devastating” and said he was saddened by the loss of innocent lives.
Canada maintains stricter gun control laws than the United States, yet the country has faced a series of mass shootings in recent years that have prompted calls for further regulation. In 2022, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced measures to freeze the sale and purchase of handguns nationwide.
The country has previously suffered deadly attacks at schools. The worst school shooting in Canadian history occurred in December 1989, when a gunman killed 14 female students and wounded 13 at Montreal’s École Polytechnique before taking his own life. Separately, in April 2020, a man in Nova Scotia disguised as a police officer killed 22 people over a 13-hour period, also before being shot by authorities.
Floyd emphasized that the rapid cooperation between school staff, first responders, and the community was crucial in managing the situation. “This was a rapidly evolving and dynamic scenario,” he said.
Authorities have not disclosed the type of weapon used in the attack, citing privacy and investigative considerations. They also cautioned against speculation while inquiries continue.
Quist described the scene inside the school as “almost surreal,” recalling the fear and confusion as students sought shelter. “We got tables and barricaded the doors. It felt like hours,” he said, noting that panic and uncertainty dominated the tense wait until law enforcement secured the building.
The RCMP confirmed that searches of nearby homes are ongoing to rule out additional threats. Officials continue to appeal for the public to share any relevant information that could assist the investigation.
As Tumbler Ridge grapples with the aftermath, officials are preparing to provide counseling and support for students, staff, and families affected by the shooting. The community’s small size has amplified the impact, with many residents personally connected to the victims.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have pledged to release further information as it becomes available, while prioritizing both transparency and the protection of those affected.