A shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada, on Tuesday left nine people dead and 25 others injured.
Police reportedly discovered six people were killed by a female shooter upon arriving at the scene on Tuesday afternoon, according to reports. Another victim of the shooting died while being transported to the hospital. Among the survivors, two were airlifted to a nearby hospital and reportedly had life-threatening injuries. Two others were found dead at a house near the school that law enforcement officials said was in connection with the shooting.
The incident left the community and country in shock; school shootings are not a frequent occurrence in Canada.
The shooter was reportedly a female and died of a “self-inflicted” gunshot wound.
The city of Tumbler Ridge is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and 600 miles north of Vancouver, in northeastern British Columbia. The city has a population of approximately 2400 people, according to the most recent census, while the Associated Press reported 2700 people lived in the small town. Tumbler Ridge Secondary School reportedly has 175 students enrolled between 7th and 12th grades.
The school’s superintendent, Ken Floyd, said the shooter had been identified, but the identity would not be released at this time, reported the Associated Press. Police were still trying to find a motive for the crime and how the victims might have been connected to the shooter.
Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka called the incident “devastating” and said the whole community is shocked and grieving, according to the Associated Press.
“I broke down,” said Krakowka. “I have lived here for 18 years. “I probably know every one of the victims.”
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney called the shootings “horrific” and offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
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“I am devastated by today’s horrific shootings in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.,” Carney said in a post on X. “My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence.”
“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,” said Carney.
“The Government of Canada stands with all British Columbians as they confront this horrible tragedy,” he added.
The school posted a message on its website, notifying students and faculty that the school would be closed for the remainder of the week.
“Due to the tragic events that unfolded in community of Tumbler Ridge today, Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School will be closed for the rest of the week,” read the message.
“The district will make supports available and once we have the locations for where the supports will be we will put that information on social media.”