Nine killed in shootings at a British Columbia high school and a nearby home as police say the suspect died from a self-inflicted injury. Community mourns while investigators search for motive.
WEBDESK – Act Global Media
At least nine people were killed and dozens injured in a pair of shootings at a high school and a nearby residence in the small Canadian community of Tumbler Ridge, police in British Columbia said Tuesday.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said officers responded around 1:20 p.m. local time to reports of gunfire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Six victims were found dead inside the building, while a seventh died during transport to hospital.
Authorities later discovered two more victims at a home believed to be linked to the incident, bringing the death toll to nine.
Police said the suspected shooter, identified as a female, was found dead inside the school from what investigators described as a self-inflicted injury. The motive remains unclear, and investigators are still working to determine how the victims were connected to the attacker.
Injuries and emergency response
Two people were airlifted to regional hospitals with serious or life-threatening injuries, while about 25 others were treated locally for non-life-threatening conditions.
Residents in the town of about 2,400 people were initially told to shelter in place as additional emergency personnel arrived. The alert was lifted later in the day after authorities confirmed no other suspects were outstanding.
The Peace River South School District placed both the secondary school and a nearby elementary school on lockdown before announcing they would remain closed for the rest of the week. The secondary school serves roughly 175 students from grades 7 to 12.
Leaders react
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney canceled planned travel following the attack, calling the shootings “horrific” and offering condolences to the victims’ families.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said the government would provide support to the community as residents grapple with the tragedy.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the shootings as the rural town mourns one of the deadliest incidents of violence in the province in recent years.
