Ten killed in shooting rampage at Canadian school and home

TUMBLER RIDGE, British Columbia: A shooting rampage in a small mountain community in western Canada left ten people dead on Tuesday, including eight victims at a local secondary school, before the suspected gunman was found dead in what police believe was a self-inflicted act.

The violence unfolded in Tumbler Ridge, a town of about 2,400 residents located in northeastern British Columbia, more than 1,100 kilometres from Vancouver. Authorities said 27 others were injured in the attack. Two victims remain in serious condition, while the rest sustained injuries not considered life-threatening.

Police received reports of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday afternoon. Responding officers discovered six people fatally shot inside the building. A seventh victim later succumbed to gunshot wounds while being transported to hospital.

Investigation spans school and residence

In a separate but related discovery, officers located two additional bodies at a home in the community that investigators believe is connected to the incident. At the school, police also found the individual suspected of carrying out the attack dead with what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury. Authorities have not released the suspect’s identity or confirmed media reports regarding the shooter’s gender.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police described the situation as fast-moving and complex, with officers continuing to search other properties in the area to determine whether additional locations are linked to the case.

Students recounted chaotic scenes as the school was placed under lockdown. Darian Quist told CBC he was in class when an announcement ordered everyone to remain inside. Initially unaware of the gravity of the situation, he said he later began receiving alarming images from within the school before police entered classrooms and escorted students out with hands raised.

His mother, Shelley Quist, said she held her son tightly once authorities declared the site secure. “He’s not going to be out of my sight for a while,” she told the broadcaster.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “devastated” by the tragedy, offering condolences to grieving families. British Columbia Premier David Eby described the attack as beyond comprehension, while federal opposition leader Pierre Poilievre termed it a senseless act.

Mass casualty shootings are uncommon in Canada. The country last year witnessed a deadly vehicle attack in Vancouver that killed 11 people at a cultural festival.