A devastating shooting incident at a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, has resulted in nine fatalities and left 25 individuals wounded, marking one of Canada’s most severe gun violence episodes in recent history.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police received emergency reports of an active shooter situation at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday afternoon at 1:20 PM local time. Law enforcement immediately dispatched officers to the scene while issuing urgent safety alerts to the surrounding rural area.
Swift Police Response
According to British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger, police officers reached the secondary school within two minutes of receiving the emergency call. This rapid response time likely prevented additional casualties, she stated.
Both Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and the nearby elementary school were placed under immediate lockdown protocols. Local authorities instructed residents to remain indoors and secure their properties during the active threat situation.
Casualties and Victims
The RCMP confirmed that six victims were discovered deceased inside the school building. Two critically injured individuals were airlifted to medical facilities, while a third victim died during transport to the hospital. Approximately 25 additional people sustained non-life-threatening injuries and received treatment at the local medical facility.
Investigators also located two additional victims at a residential property connected to the incident. Police continue searching other homes and properties to ensure no additional victims remain undiscovered.
The Perpetrator
The suspect was found deceased inside the school with what authorities described as a self-inflicted injury. While police have identified the individual, they have not yet released the person’s name or detailed background information.
Earlier emergency alerts described the suspect as a female with brown hair wearing a dress, though official confirmation of gender and identity remains pending. Investigators are examining possible motives and any potential connections between the attacker and the educational institution.
Student Accounts
Darian Quist, a Grade 12 student at the school, described hearing lockdown alarms shortly after arriving for afternoon classes. Students barricaded classroom doors with furniture and remained secured for over two hours until police safely evacuated them to a community center where families reunited.
His mother, Shelley Quist, who lives nearby, rushed to the scene after hearing police activity through her phone during the evacuation process.
Community Impact
Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka emphasized the tight-knit nature of the community, stating he expects to personally know all the victims after living in the area for 19 years. The mayor referred to residents as family rather than simply community members.
Town councillor Chris Norbury expressed shock at the violence occurring in what he described as an exceptionally safe community where residents typically don’t lock their doors. He noted the town’s small size, with only three police vehicles serving the entire area.
The rural community, home to approximately 2,400 residents, sits about 670 kilometers northeast of Vancouver. Known primarily for coal mining operations and dinosaur fossil discoveries, Tumbler Ridge markets itself as a tourist destination featuring natural attractions.
Official Response
British Columbia Premier David Eby characterized the shootings as a devastating and unimaginable tragedy, acknowledging the profound impact on the community. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney canceled his planned diplomatic trip to Germany in response to the incident.
The secondary school serves 160 students in grades 7 through 12, making the attack particularly significant for the small community’s educational system.
Photo by Scott Blake on Unsplash
