Canadian police say nine people have been killed in a mass shooting at a school and home in the remote rural community of Tumbler Ridge in the western province of British Columbia. Another 25 people were injured, and the suspect's body was also found at the scene. This is what we know so far about one of the deadliest gun attacks in Canada's history.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said they received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at 13:20 local time on Tuesday. The police responded by deploying officers to the scene, issuing an active shooter alert for the rural community and the surrounding area. Local residents were told to "shelter in place, lock your doors and refrain from leaving your home or business at this time." A lockdown was activated at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and nearby Tumbler Ridge Elementary School.
British Columbia's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger stated that police officers arrived at the school "within two minutes" of the initial call, which likely saved lives. Tumbler Ridge has about 2,400 residents, and its secondary school has 160 students in Grades 7-12.
In an update, the RCMP confirmed that six individuals, not including the suspect, were located deceased inside the school, with two victims airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries. Approximately 25 others were being assessed at the local medical center for non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was found dead inside the school with a self-inflicted injury following the shootings. Authorities have yet to release the suspect's details but are investigating possible motives and connections to the school.
Witness accounts described the chaotic moments during the lockdown, with students barricading doors and receiving alerts about the unfolding situation. The Mayor of Tumbler Ridge expressed that he expected to know the victims due to the small-knit community. Premier David Eby called the incident "a devastating tragedy,” and Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended his trip to Germany due to the event.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said they received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at 13:20 local time on Tuesday. The police responded by deploying officers to the scene, issuing an active shooter alert for the rural community and the surrounding area. Local residents were told to "shelter in place, lock your doors and refrain from leaving your home or business at this time." A lockdown was activated at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and nearby Tumbler Ridge Elementary School.
British Columbia's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger stated that police officers arrived at the school "within two minutes" of the initial call, which likely saved lives. Tumbler Ridge has about 2,400 residents, and its secondary school has 160 students in Grades 7-12.
In an update, the RCMP confirmed that six individuals, not including the suspect, were located deceased inside the school, with two victims airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries. Approximately 25 others were being assessed at the local medical center for non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was found dead inside the school with a self-inflicted injury following the shootings. Authorities have yet to release the suspect's details but are investigating possible motives and connections to the school.
Witness accounts described the chaotic moments during the lockdown, with students barricading doors and receiving alerts about the unfolding situation. The Mayor of Tumbler Ridge expressed that he expected to know the victims due to the small-knit community. Premier David Eby called the incident "a devastating tragedy,” and Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended his trip to Germany due to the event.
