Tumbler Ridge Mass Shooting: What We Know So Far

Nine people have been killed in a mass shooting in the rural community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, in what authorities describe as one of the deadliest gun attacks in Canada’s history.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said officers received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at 1:20 P.M. local time on Tuesday. An active shooter alert was issued immediately, and residents were instructed to shelter in place, lock their doors, and avoid leaving homes or businesses.

A “hold and secure” lockdown was activated at both Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and nearby Tumbler Ridge Elementary School.

British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger said officers arrived at the secondary school within two minutes of receiving the call. She said the rapid response “no doubt” saved lives.

Tumbler Ridge has a population of about 2,400 residents. The secondary school serves approximately 160 students in Grades 7 through 12.

Victims Found at School and Nearby Home

In an update, the RCMP confirmed that six victims were located deceased inside the secondary school, not including the suspect. Two victims were airlifted to hospital with serious or life-threatening injuries, and a third died while being transported to hospital.

Approximately 25 others were assessed and triaged at the local medical centre for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police also identified a secondary location connected to the incident. Two additional victims were found deceased inside a nearby residence.

“Officers are conducting further searches of additional homes and properties to determine whether anyone else may be injured or otherwise linked to today's events,” the RCMP said in a statement.

Authorities have not yet released the names or ages of the victims.

Suspect Found Dead at the Scene

Police said the suspect was found deceased inside the school with what they described as a self-inflicted injury.

RCMP North District Commander Chief Supt Ken Floyd confirmed at a news conference that the suspect was the same individual described in an earlier public alert. That alert identified a “female in a dress with brown hair,” though police have not publicly confirmed the suspect’s name or further identifying details.

Investigators are working to determine a motive and whether the suspect had any connection to the school or the community.

A Student’s Account of the Lockdown

Students inside the school described confusion and fear as the lockdown began.

Darian Quist, a Grade 12 student at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, told CBC Radio that shortly after arriving at class around 1:30 P.M. local time, an alarm sounded instructing students to close doors due to a lockdown. He said he and his classmates began receiving images from the scene on their phones and realized the situation was serious.

“We got tables and barricaded the doors” for more than two hours, Darian said, until police arrived to escort students out of the building.

Outside, he reunited with his mother, Shelley Quist, at a nearby community centre.

Shelley Quist said she could hear police “kicking” her son’s classroom door down and students being escorted out.

“That’s when I left home. We live very close; a block away from the community centre. I literally almost ran over there,” she told CBC.

A Small Community in Shock

Local leaders described deep grief in the tight-knit town. Mayor Darryl Krakowka told CBC that the community is so small that he expects to personally know all the victims.

“I will know every victim. I've been here 19 years, and we're a small community,” he said. “I don't call them residents. I call them family.”

Town councillor Chris Norbury told BBC Radio 4 that residents were stunned by the violence.

“We don't lock our doors here. It is an incredibly safe community... we don't have to worry about crime here,” he said. “This is a big tragedy here.”

Norbury described arriving at the school and seeing emergency vehicles blocking the entrance.

“We have three police vehicles in our town, we are very small. We are a small community. We know each other, we all know the victims. They are our friends, our friends' children,” he said.

National Response

British Columbia Premier David Eby called the shooting “a devastating and unimaginable tragedy.”

“We can't imagine what the community is going through. But I know it's causing us to all hug our kids a little bit tighter tonight,” he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended a planned trip to Germany following the attack.

The tragedy has sparked renewed national discussion about public safety and gun violence in Canada, where mass shootings are relatively rare compared to other countries.

Where Tumbler Ridge Is Located

Tumbler Ridge is located approximately 670 kilometres northeast of Vancouver in northern British Columbia.

The community is known primarily for its coal mining industry and for dinosaur fossil discoveries. It has marketed itself as a tourist destination known as the land of dinosaurs and waterfalls.

Now, the town faces the difficult task of grieving and rebuilding in the wake of an event that has shaken its sense of safety. As investigators continue their work, authorities say additional information will be released when confirmed.

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