A quiet mountain town in British Columbia has been shattered by an act of violence that has left nine people dead and dozens more injured in what authorities are calling the deadliest school shooting in Canada in decades.
The tragedy unfolded Tuesday afternoon in Tumbler Ridge, a close-knit community of roughly 2,400 residents. At approximately 1:20 p.m., police were dispatched to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School following urgent reports of an active shooter inside the building. When officers arrived, they were met with a scene of devastation. Six people were found dead within the school, and dozens of students and staff were suffering from injuries ranging from minor to critical.
Emergency crews worked frantically to treat the wounded. Two individuals with serious or life-threatening injuries were airlifted to larger medical facilities, while approximately 25 others were transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening wounds. Tragically, another victim succumbed to injuries while being transported for emergency care.
As investigators expanded their search, two additional victims were discovered at a nearby home believed to be connected to the suspect. Authorities later confirmed that the suspected shooter was found dead inside the school from what has been described as a self-inflicted injury. Police have stated there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The motive behind the attack remains under investigation, and officials have not yet released further details about what may have led to the violence. Grief counselors and crisis response teams have been deployed to support students, families, and first responders grappling with unimaginable loss.
Schools in Tumbler Ridge will remain closed for the rest of the week as the community begins the painful process of mourning. Vigils are already being organized, and messages of condolence are pouring in from across the country.
In a town where neighbors know each other by name, the impact of this tragedy is profound. Nine lives have been cut short, families have been torn apart, and a community’s sense of safety has been shaken to its core. As Canada mourns, the people of Tumbler Ridge face the long road toward healing together.