In a shocking outburst of violence, a high school in the remote mining town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, became the scene of a devastating mass shooting that claimed nine lives. The incident unfolded on Tuesday, leaving the tight-knit community reeling from unimaginable loss.
Authorities confirmed that seven victims were found dead inside the local high school, while two more were discovered in a nearby residence. The suspected gunman, described in initial alerts as a woman with brown hair wearing a dress, was later found deceased at the school, believed to have taken their own life.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Ken Floyd, who oversees the northern district, addressed the media in a virtual news conference. He detailed how approximately 100 students and staff were safely evacuated from the premises, crediting swift action for preventing further casualties.
Two individuals suffered critical injuries and were airlifted to hospitals, with 25 others treated for lesser wounds at a local medical center. The attacks at the school and the adjacent home are linked, though the motive remains elusive.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed profound grief on social media platform X, labeling the event as ‘horrific violence’ that has shattered the nation. British Columbia Premier David Eby echoed these sentiments, calling it an ‘unthinkable tragedy’ and pledging full government support to the affected community in the days ahead.
Tumbler Ridge, home to about 2,400 residents and renowned for its dinosaur footprints and fossils, is grappling with this rare horror. Canada has seen few such mass shootings; the last major school-related incident was the 1989 Montreal massacre that killed 14. More recently, the 2020 Nova Scotia rampage claimed 22 lives over two days.
As investigations continue, Superintendent Floyd emphasized the commitment to uncovering the full truth behind this senseless act, offering hope amid the sorrow for answers that may bring some solace.