Authorities detail casualties and injuries
A deadly attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northern British Columbia left seven people dead at the school, while two more bodies were later found at a nearby residence that authorities believe is connected to the incident, Canadian officials said Tuesday.
Police said more than 25 people were injured. Two of the wounded were airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries, underscoring the severity of the event and the strain placed on emergency response resources in a remote region.
Suspect found dead as inquiry continues
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said a woman believed to be responsible for the attack was found dead. Investigators have identified her as the suspect but have not released her name, and they said a motive has not been determined.
Police said they are still working to clarify any connection between the suspect and the victims, and they emphasized that information will be shared as it is verified and as families are formally notified.
Rapid response and scenes outside the school
British Columbia Premier David Eby said officers reached the school within roughly two minutes. Video from the scene showed students leaving the building with their hands raised as emergency vehicles surrounded the campus and a helicopter circled overhead.
RCMP officials said six people were declared dead at the school and a seventh person died while being transported to hospital. The two additional deaths were confirmed at the residence believed to be tied to the attack.
Community impact and immediate closures
Tumbler Ridge sits in the Canadian Rockies more than 1,000 kilometers northeast of Vancouver, near the Alberta border. The local secondary school serves about 175 students across Grades 7 to 12, according to provincial information.
The mayor described the loss as especially devastating for a community of about 2,700 residents, where many families know each other closely. Local faith leaders and counselors gathered at the recreation center where families waited for updates, as officials followed strict protocols before releasing names.
The school district said Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School will remain closed for the rest of the week.
National reaction and policy backdrop
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was devastated by the attack and praised first responders. His office said he would suspend a planned trip to Halifax and to Munich, where he had been scheduled to travel for the Munich Security Conference, and he was also set to announce a defense industrial strategy in Halifax on Wednesday.
School shootings are rare in Canada, which has strict gun control rules. The federal government has expanded restrictions in recent years, including a broadened ban on firearms it classifies as assault weapons.
Authorities said this was the country’s deadliest mass shooting since 2020, when a rampage in Nova Scotia killed 13 people and additional deaths were linked to fires set during the attack.
