TUMBLER RIDGE: Ten people, including the suspected shooter, were killed and dozens more were hurt after a mass shooting at a high school in the remote Canadian community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, police said, in an attack that also involved a nearby residence.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said officers received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at about 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10. A police-initiated public alert was issued as officers responded, urging residents to take shelter. The alert was cancelled at 5:45 p.m. after police said they did not believe there were any outstanding suspects or ongoing threat to the public.
Police said an individual believed to be the shooter was found dead inside the school with what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury. Six additional people, not including the suspect, were located dead inside the school. Two other victims were found dead at a residence that police said was connected to the incident, and a third victim died while being transported to hospital, bringing the total death toll to 10.
The RCMP said two people were airlifted to hospital with serious or life-threatening injuries, and approximately 25 others were assessed and triaged at the local medical centre for non-life-threatening injuries. Police said all remaining students and staff were safely evacuated, and officers worked with the school district to support a reunification process for families as the emergency response continued.
Investigation expands beyond school
RCMP said the connected residence was identified as a secondary location in the investigation, and that officers were conducting further searches of additional homes and properties to determine whether anyone else might be injured or otherwise linked to the day’s events. The force said additional resources were deployed into the community, including frontline officers, the Emergency Response Team, Major Crime investigators and victim services personnel.
British Columbia RCMP Major Crime has assumed conduct of the investigation, police said, and is working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shootings. Investigators have not released the identities of the victims or the suspected shooter. Police said further updates would be provided as more information becomes available.
The local school district said Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School would be closed for the rest of the week following what it described as tragic events in the community. The district said supports would be made available and that information on locations would be shared through its communications channels.
National leaders respond
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was devastated by the shooting and expressed condolences to those affected, while thanking first responders. His office said he suspended planned travel, including a scheduled departure to Halifax and to Munich, Germany. British Columbia Premier David Eby also issued a statement of condolence and said the province would support the community in the aftermath of the attack.
Police emphasized that the public alert was lifted once officers determined there was no continuing threat. The RCMP said the response began with officers entering the school to locate the danger and then moving to secure the area, evacuate students and staff, and widen the investigation to the secondary location. Authorities said the investigation remained active as they worked to account for victims and establish the facts of what happened. – By Content Syndication Services.