Canada School Shooting: A deadly school shooting in northeastern British Columbia has left eight people dead, including the suspected gunman, and injured dozens more, according to Canadian police. The incident has triggered a large-scale emergency response and forced schools in the small town of Tumbler Ridge into lockdown as authorities investigate whether more suspects may be involved.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed on Tuesday that the suspect was found dead with what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officers said the investigation is ongoing and they are working to determine if a second suspect played any role in the attack.
In the aftermath of the shooting, residents of Tumbler Ridge were urged to remain indoors while additional police and emergency resources were rushed in from neighbouring regions. The town, home to about 2,400 people, is located more than 1,000 kilometres north of Vancouver near the Alberta border.
Police presence increased across the community as ambulances, RCMP units, and support teams secured the area. Authorities said the precautionary measures were necessary to ensure public safety while they continued to assess the situation.
The Peace River South School District confirmed that both Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School were placed under a “lockdown and secure-and-hold” order. Parents were advised not to approach school campuses during the operation to avoid interfering with emergency procedures.
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School serves approximately 175 students from Grades 7 to 12. Officials have not released details about the victims, and it remains unclear how many of the injured were students, staff, or community members.
Larry Neufeld, the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Peace River South, said an excess of emergency resources had been deployed to the town. Speaking to reporters, he urged residents to remain calm and follow instructions from authorities.
He stressed that sharing further details at this stage could compromise the safety of the ongoing operation. Neufeld also appealed to residents who were searching for loved ones to return home and allow law enforcement to complete their work.
The sudden violence has shaken the tight-knit community, with residents describing scenes of confusion and fear as police secured streets and schools remained closed. Mental health support and counselling services are expected to be offered in the coming days to help students, families, and first responders cope with the trauma.
The RCMP said updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and once officials are confident there is no remaining threat to public safety. For now, authorities continue to treat the situation with caution as Canada grapples with yet another tragic act of gun violence.