Seven Killed in British Columbia School Shooting; Two More Found Dead at Separate Site

According to Rokna, citing NBC News, the violence unfolded Tuesday afternoon in Tumbler Ridge, a small community located in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, according to a statement from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Police said the suspected shooter was also found dead at the scene, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“We believe we have identified the shooter,” RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd said during an evening press briefing. He noted that the suspect’s name would not be released at this stage due to the ongoing investigation.

Investigators are still working to determine any connection between the gunman and either the school or the residence where the additional victims were located, Floyd added.

Officers responded to reports of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at approximately 1:20 p.m. Six victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and a seventh died while being transported to hospital.

Two more individuals were airlifted to medical facilities with life-threatening injuries, police said.

British Columbia Premier David Eby stated that officers arrived at the school within two minutes of receiving reports of gunfire.

“That rapid and professional response saved lives today,” Eby said at a news conference.

Authorities estimated that around 25 others sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The high school campus was evacuated following the attack.

Police later searched a residence believed to be associated with the suspect and found two people dead inside, Floyd confirmed.

He said it was too soon to specify how many of the victims were children, and investigators have not yet determined a motive.

“The scene was extremely distressing, and several victims are still receiving care,” Floyd said.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement that the federal government was working to ensure the community receives full support. He described the attack as “horrific” and extended condolences to the families of those killed.

“I join Canadians in mourning with all those whose lives have been forever changed today,” Carney said.

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre condemned the shooting on X, calling it “a senseless act of violence.”

Provincial legislator Larry Neufeld described Tumbler Ridge as a “small, close-knit community,” noting that an event of this magnitude affects everyone.

“The repercussions of something like this are felt across the entire town,” he said.

Premier Eby emphasized that the tragedy would leave a lasting mark. “This is something that will echo for many years,” he said.

Olympic hockey champion Hayley Wickenheiser recalled that Tumbler Ridge co-hosted a training camp for Canadian Olympic athletes in 2010.

“It’s a charming and beautiful town,” she wrote on X. “My heart aches for the families of the victims and for a community that will always hold a special place for me.”

Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger announced that trauma counselors were being sent to the area to assist residents, describing the attack as among the deadliest in the province’s history.

The local school district said classes at both Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School would be canceled for the remainder of the week, with mental health support services available for students.

Tumbler Ridge was established in 1981 to serve coal miners and the surrounding coal industry, according to the Visit Tumbler Ridge website. The town has a population of 2,399, based on Canadian government data.