A mass shooting in the northern B.C. community of Tumbler Ridge has left 10 people dead, including the suspect, and injured more than two dozen, the RCMP confirmed Tuesday night. In a message posted on social media, King Charles III said he and Queen Camilla “were profoundly shocked and saddened to learn of the most dreadful attack.” “In such a closely connected town, every child’s name will be known and every family will be a neighbour,” the message from the Royal Family said. “We can only begin to imagine the appalling shadow that has now descended across Tumbler Ridge and our hearts go out to all those whose lives have been so shattered by this senseless act of brutal violence.” Here are some of the others reactions pouring in from federal, provincial and local officials, as well as from world leaders and notable figures on social media. Ottawa reacts Prime Minister Mark Carney shared a response on social media, saying that he connected with B.C. Premier David Eby and is co-ordinating a federal response with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. “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 said. “Our ability to come together in crisis is the best of our country — our empathy, our unity, and our compassion for each other.” Soon after, the Prime Minister’s Office released a statement that Carney will postpone both a defence announcement in Halifax on Wednesday and his planned trip to Germany for the Munich Security Conference. Speaking on Wednesday morning from Ottawa, Carney said flags at all government buildings would be flown at half mast for the next seven days. “We will get through this, we will learn from this,” Carney told reporters. “But right now it’s a time to come together as Canadians always do in these situations, these terrible situations, to support each other, to mourn together and to grow together.” Anandasangaree shared that he was in contact with local officials and that he would offer “full support for any assistance they may need.” “This heartbreaking act of violence has rocked our nation and has stolen the sense of safety all students deserve when they go to school every day. Canada is grieving this profound loss,” he said. In a social media post, former prime minister Justin Trudeau said he was “devastated by the horrific shooting in Tumbler Ridge.” “My heart is with the victims, their families, and an entire community now carrying unimaginable grief,” Trudeau said. Conservative MP Bob Zimmer, who represents Tumbler Ridge through the federal riding of Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies, shared late Tuesday night that “words can’t express the tragedy that has unfolded.” Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre said he was devastated to hear of “the many innocent people murdered and injured in a senseless act of violence.” Speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning, Poilievre urged Canadians to pray for the community and affected families. “As a father, I can’t even imagine the phone calls that parents might have received, I can’t imagine the heartache and hell that they’re living through at this moment,” Poilievre said from Ottawa. “This is a time for all Canadians to unite to support the families and the community at large.” Green Party Leader and longtime B.C. MP Elizabeth May also shared her deepest condolences. “I’m sure first responders are going to need a lot of support emotionally for what they have gone through being the first to show up to open the school doors,” May said from Ottawa on Wednesday morning. “It’s unspeakable, it’s a terrible tragedy and we mourn with those who’ve lost so much.” Interim NDP leader and B.C. MP Don Davies shared a similar message from Ottawa. “It strikes me that as we gather here today to mark National Kindness Week, there’s a cruel irony to that, but also perhaps a profound symmetry, as we gather across party lines to focus on the opposite of what happened yesterday, which is the coming together in humanity and kindness,” Davies said. The RCMP shared a statement late Tuesday night, expressing gratitude for “everyone supporting the community during this difficult time.” RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme also offered his “deepest condolences” to the victims and their loved ones. “I commend our members and all first responders for their courage in unimaginable circumstances,” Duheme said on social media. “We stand with the community of Tumbler Ridge.” Messages from B.C. Meanwhile, Eby wrote that the B.C. government “will ensure every possible support for community members in the coming days, as we all try to come to terms with this unimaginable tragedy.” In a statement, the Tumbler Ridge Parent Advisory Council described the shooting as “a day of unimaginable heartbreak for our community.” “In a town as close-knit as Tumbler Ridge, everyone is touched by this tragedy,” the statement explained. “The emotional impact of today’s events will be profound and lasting. We urge families to check in with their children, to listen, and to seek support where needed.” Tumbler Ridge Fellowship Baptist Church pastor George Rowe said local faith leaders were offering support to the community in the aftermath of the shooting. “I don’t have the answers; none of us have got the answers, but just to come alongside our people and let them know that they’re loved and we’re with them,” Rowe told CTV’s Your Morning on Wednesday. “We’ve got help coming in, we’ve got people calling from literally all over the country; they want to come in and offer counselling services, so we’re making our churches available where possible.” B.C. Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger issued a statement, calling the shooting “devastating” and that it sent shockwaves through both the community and the province. She also thanked the RCMP and first responders for their “immediate and courageous response.” B.C. MLA Larry Neufeld, who represents Peace River South, thanked first responders, school staff and local officials for their quick response. “This is a small, close-knit town, and the impact of an event like this is felt by everyone,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the residents of Tumbler Ridge,” Conservative Party of British Columbia interim leader Trevor Halford said. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim offered condolences to the people of Tumbler Ridge for this “heartbreaking attack.” “No community should ever have to experience a tragedy of that nature,” he said. Zoe Royer, the Liberal MP for Port Moody-Coquitlam in B.C., spoke of the tragedy on Wednesday morning. “Our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers are with the people of Tumbler Ridge,” Royer told reporters in Ottawa. “I think it’s more important than ever that we come together as a country, as a government, as communities across Canada, to really stand for unity in these difficult, difficult times.” Kelowna, B.C., Liberal MP Stephen Fuhr described the shooting as a massive and unthinkable tragedy. “It’s in a very small community, so it’ll be very difficult to deal with this – I mean, who do you lean on when your entire community is affected by tragedies of this magnitude that we don’t see in this country very often?” Fuhr told reports in Ottawa on Wednesday. “It’s a small community, so it will take the province, the country, everyone to come together right now to give that community what it needs to get through the situation.” Premiers react Alberta Premier Danielle Smith offered condolences to everyone affected by the shooting. Tumbler Ridge is around two hours west of the B.C.-Alberta border. “I can only imagine the absolute devastation that the students, families, staff, and entire community must be feeling right now,” she said. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his province is ready to support the people of B.C. “My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and everyone who was impacted by the terrible shooting,” Ford said on social media. “I’m praying for a full recovery for all those who were injured in the attack.” Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew also offered his condolences for this “heartbreaking loss.” “Our thoughts are with the people of Tumbler Ridge – the students, families, educators and first responders facing an unthinkable tragedy,” Kinew said on social media. “Schools should always be places of safety and care.” Athletes and sports teams Hockey Hall of Famer and Officer of the Order of Canada Hayley Wickenheiser shared that Tumbler Ridge, along with Dawson Creek, B.C., hosted the 2010 Winter Olympic women’s hockey boot camp. “The last event was a scramble to the top of Tumbler Ridge. It’s a beautiful quaint town,” she said. “My heart hurts for the families of those lost and this community which [will] always be forever special to me.” In a statement, the Canadian Olympic Committee said it was “heartbroken” by the “horrific school shooting.” “Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones, those who are injured, and the entire Tumbler Ridge community,” the statement added. “Team Canada stands with everyone affected as they navigate difficult days ahead.” A number of B.C.-based professional sports teams offered their condolences, including the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, the CFL’s B.C. Lions, the PWHL’s Vancouver Goldeneyes, Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps and the Northern Super League’s Vancouver Rise. “With heavy hearts and our deepest sympathies, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones who lost someone dear during today’s tragic event in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.,” the Vancouver Canucks said in a social media statement. “While there are no words to that can ease the pain or help fully process such a profound loss, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of unimaginable grief and sorrow. The Toronto Blue Jays also posted a statement on social media. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic events in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and the entire Tumbler Ridge community,” the Blue Jays statement said. “We stand with you in support during this time of unbearable grief and mourning.” World leaders The shooting in the northern B.C. community also drew reactions from world leaders. While delivering opening remarks to his country’s House of Commons on Wednesday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he “conveyed the U.K.’s deepest condolences to Prime Minister Carney and the people of Canada for the devastating shooting in Tumbler Ridge.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply shocked by the horrendous shooting.” “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Modi said on social media. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” to hear about the “tragic attack.” “I send my sincere condolences to all Canadians impacted by this horrific event,” Albanese said on social media. “Australian hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims and we are all thinking of those injured.” Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said he was “devastated” to hear of the fatal shootings. “On behalf of my Government and myself I would like to express my deepest condolences to the victims’ families and friends and to the Canadian people,” Orpo said on social media. “Finland stands with Canada in this time of sorrow.” Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store offered his condolences in a social media post and said his country stands “in solidarity with all those affected.” Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he was “horrified” by the mass shooting. “My thoughts and deepest condolences are with the victims and their loved ones,” he said on social media. “Sweden stands with Canada in these tragic times.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his country was “deeply shaken” by news of the shooting. “Our thoughts are with the people of Tumbler Ridge as they mourn their families, friends, and loved ones,” Merz said on social media. “I wish those who were injured a swift recovery.” In a social media post Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra shared his condolences with those affected by the shooting. “Our hearts and prayers are with the community of Tumbler Ridge and all of British Columbia today,” he wrote. “My personal prayer is that in these difficult times, they find the peace and comfort that only He can provide.” With files from CTV News National Correspondent Rachel Aiello and CTV News Writer and Producer Spencer Van Dyk.
