A tranquil community in northeastern British Columbia was shattered by a devastating mass shooting on Tuesday, resulting in ten fatalities—including the suspected perpetrator—and leaving more than 25 individuals wounded. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed the tragic incident occurred in Tumbler Ridge, a small town of approximately 2,400 residents situated near the Alberta border.
According to official RCMP statements, law enforcement responded to an active shooter situation at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where six victims were discovered deceased. Two additional fatalities were located at a residence connected to the incident, while another individual succumbed to injuries while being transported to medical facilities. Among the injured, two victims sustained life-threatening wounds.
Police indicated the suspected shooter was found deceased at the scene with what appeared to be self-inflicted injuries. Notably, official alerts described the potential perpetrator as a brown-haired female wearing a dress, marking a rare instance of female involvement in such mass casualty events.
The Peace River South School District implemented immediate lockdown protocols at both the secondary school and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School as the situation unfolded. Larry Neufeld, local legislative representative, confirmed that extensive emergency resources including RCMP reinforcements and ambulance services had been deployed to the remote community.
The secondary school, which serves 175 students in grades 7 through 12 according to provincial records, became the epicenter of one of Canada’s deadliest school shootings in recent history. The incident has sent shockwaves through the nation, which typically experiences far fewer mass shooting events compared to its southern neighbor.