A quiet mountain town in northeastern British Columbia was plunged into grief and disbelief on Tuesday after a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School left at least 10 people dead, including the suspected attacker, and dozens more injured.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that six victims were found dead inside the secondary school, while another died en route to hospital. In a disturbing development, two additional bodies were discovered at a nearby residence believed to be connected to the attack. Authorities said the individual suspected of carrying out the shooting was also found deceased at the school, with what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury.
The tragedy unfolded in the small community of Tumbler Ridge, located in the foothills of the British Columbia Rocky Mountains, more than 1,100 kilometres north of Vancouver. With a population of fewer than 3,000 residents, the town is known for its close-knit character—an intimacy that has deepened the shock and emotional toll of the violence.
RCMP Northern District Commander Ken Floyd told reporters that investigators have identified a female suspect but are withholding her name pending further investigation and in consideration of privacy concerns. A public alert issued earlier described the suspect as a woman with brown hair wearing a dress. Authorities have not disclosed the ages of the victims or confirmed whether any were minors, citing the ongoing investigation led by the RCMP’s Major Crimes Unit.
“This was a rapidly evolving and dynamic situation,” Floyd said. “The swift cooperation from the school, first responders and community played a critical role in our response.” He added that investigators are still working to determine the motive behind what he described as a “tragedy of immense magnitude.”
In addition to those killed, two individuals were airlifted to hospital with serious or life-threatening injuries. Approximately 25 others were assessed and treated at the local medical centre for non-life-threatening injuries. Police confirmed that all remaining students and staff were safely evacuated from the school once the immediate threat had been neutralised.
As law enforcement officers secured the scene, they began searching additional homes and properties within the community to determine whether other sites were connected to the attack. The presence of multiple crime scenes has complicated the investigation and heightened anxiety among residents.
Inside the school, scenes of fear and desperation unfolded as students scrambled to protect themselves. Darian Quist, a Grade 12 student, recounted to CBC Radio West how he and his classmates barricaded themselves inside a classroom for more than two hours.
“We got tables and barricaded the doors,” Quist said, describing the tense standoff. “The reality of it all is starting to set in. I believe I knew somebody, but everything is still very fresh.” He described the ordeal as “almost surreal,” adding that the school is small, with only about 20 students in his graduating year.
For a community where many residents know one another personally, the emotional impact has been profound. Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka said he was overwhelmed upon learning the number of casualties.
“I broke down,” he said. “It’s devastating. I have lived here for 18 years. I probably know every one of the victims.” He described the town as a “big family,” underscoring the collective grief now enveloping the area.
Provincial and national leaders swiftly responded with expressions of condolence and promises of support. British Columbia Premier David Eby called the attack an “unimaginable tragedy” and pledged that the provincial government would provide every possible resource to assist affected families and community members in the days ahead.
“Our hearts are in Tumbler Ridge tonight with the families of those who have lost loved ones,” Eby said in a public statement.
At the federal level, Prime Minister Mark Carney reportedly suspended his planned departure for a security conference in Munich, Germany, in order to address the crisis at home. In a social media post, Carney expressed solidarity with the victims and praised first responders for their courage.
“I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today,” he wrote, “and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens.”
Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre also voiced his condolences, stating that he was “devastated to hear of the many innocent people murdered and injured.”
The shooting has reignited debate over gun control in Canada. While the country maintains stricter firearm regulations than the United States, it has experienced several high-profile mass shootings in recent years. In 2022, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced new gun control measures, including a national freeze on the buying and selling of handguns.
Canada’s history with mass shootings includes the April 2020 rampage in Nova Scotia, where a gunman disguised as a police officer killed 22 people over 13 hours before being shot dead by police. The country’s deadliest school shooting occurred in December 1989 at Montreal’s École Polytechnique, where a gunman murdered 14 women before taking his own life.
As the investigation in Tumbler Ridge continues, authorities remain focused on piecing together the sequence of events and identifying any factors that may have contributed to the violence. Commander Floyd emphasised that it is too early to speculate about motive or broader implications.
“We are not in a place now to be able to understand why and what may have motivated this tragedy,” he said.
Meanwhile, grief counselling services and crisis response teams are being mobilised to support students, families, and first responders coping with the aftermath. For the people of Tumbler Ridge, the road to healing is likely to be long and painful.
In a town defined by its sense of community, the tragedy has left an indelible mark. As residents gather to mourn, the focus remains on honouring the victims, supporting the wounded, and seeking answers to a senseless act that has shaken Canada once again.
