10 Dead In Shootings At School And Home In Northeastern British Columbia
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) – Eight people, including the suspect, were killed in a shooting at a school in British Columbia, and two more people were found dead at a home believed to be connected to the shooting, Canadian authorities said Tuesday.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police say more than 25 people were injured following a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, including two people who were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
School shootings are rare in Canada.
The town of Tumbler Ridge, with a population of about 2,400, is located 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) north of Vancouver, near the Alberta border. The state government’s website states that Tumbler Ridge Secondary School has 175 students in grades 7 through 12.
RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd told reporters that investigators had identified the shooter but would not name him, but said the suspect’s motive remained unclear.
“We are in no position to understand why or what caused this tragedy,” Floyd said.
Police are still investigating how the victims were connected to the shooter, the official added.
“As part of the initial response to active assaults, police entered the school to locate the threat. During the search, officers located multiple victims. A person believed to be the attacker was also found dead from an apparent self-inflicted wound,” RCMP said in a statement.
In the statement, it was stated that 7 people, including the suspect, died at the scene and 8 died while being taken to the hospital.
Peace River South School District said in a statement early Tuesday that “lockdown, security and protection” were in place at both the middle school and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement on social media that he was devastated by the shooting attack in Tumbler Ridge.
“I join Canadians in grieving those whose lives have been irrevocably changed today, and I am grateful for the courage and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect their citizens,” he wrote.
British Columbia Premier David Eby called it “an unimaginable tragedy.”
The Canadian government has responded to previous mass shootings with gun control measures. recently expanded Banning all weapons considered offensive weapons.
Tuesday’s shootings were the deadliest attack by a gunman in Canada since 2020. Nova Scotia kills 13 people and started fires that killed nine more people.
Gillies reported from Toronto.
