10 dead, including suspect, after mass shooting at northern B.C. high school

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Authorities are still trying to piece together what led to a horrific mass shooting in the small northern B.C. community of Tumbler Ridge that left 10 people dead, more than half of whom were found at the local high school.

Details are still emerging about the incident that has shocked the province and beyond, in what is now one of the deadliest shootings in Canadian history.

Mounties say they first received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at approximately 1:20 p.m. local time Tuesday.

“As part of the initial response to the active shooting, police entered the school to locate the threat,” the B.C. RCMP wrote in a statement Tuesday evening. “During the search, officers located multiple victims. An individual believed to be the shooter was also found deceased with what appears to be a self‑inflicted injury.”

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Six other people were found dead inside the school, and one additional victim died while being taken to hospital. Two others were airlifted from the school with serious injuries, police said.

Approximately 25 additional people were treated at a local clinic for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

“All remaining students and staff were safely evacuated. Police are working closely with the school district to support a co-ordinated reunification process for families,” the RCMP said.

Two more victims were found dead inside a home police believe is connected to the incident. Police say officers are searching additional homes and properties to find out if anyone else may have been hurt.

An emergency alert urging residents to shelter in place was lifted just after 5:45 p.m. and police say there does not appear to be any other suspects or ongoing threat to the public.

Tumbler Ridge is located in the Peace River region in northeastern B.C. and has a population of about 2,400. The secondary school has roughly 160 students, according to School District 59.

Due to the tragedy, both the elementary school and high school in the community will be closed for the rest of the week, the school district said.

“We are not in a place now to be able to understand … what may have motivated this tragedy,” Supt. Ken Floyd, commander of the B.C. RCMP’s North District, told reporters at a virtual news conference Tuesday evening.

“Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones and all those impacted by this tragic incident. This has been incredibly difficult and emotional day for our community.”

Floyd could not say how many of the victims were children or adults, or elaborate on the nature of the injuries suffered by survivors.

Police also declined to identify the suspected shooter or confirm whether or not the individual was a student at the school, nor what weapon—or weapons—they may have used.

Floyd did say the suspect is the same person referenced in a text alert sent into the community as the situation unfolded, which at the time described a “female in a dress with brown hair.”

The mass shooting prompted a wave of condolences from across the country, including from Prime Minister Mark Carney.

In a statement Tuesday night, Carney said he was “devastated” by the news of the killings.

“My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence,” he said.

“I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today, and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens.”

Carney’s office also confirmed that he was postponing an announcement scheduled for Wednesday, as well as international travel plans, in light of the tragedy.

B.C. Premier David Eby addressed the mass shooting at a news conference in downtown Vancouver shortly after, urging residents to offer support to the survivors in Tumbler Ridge.

“We can’t imagine what the community is going through but I know it’s causing us all to hug our kids a little bit tighter tonight,” Eby said.

“Wrap these families with love. Not just tonight but tomorrow and into the future. This is something that will reverberate for years to come.”

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Andrew Weichel