In a shocking incident on Monday (February 10th), a school shooting took place in the small town of Tumbler Ridge in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. Authorities confirmed that the tragic event resulted in the death of 10 people, including the suspect, with at least 25 others injured, with 2 in critical condition.
This marks the second deadliest school shooting in Canadian history.
The incident occurred around 1:20 PM local time when the police received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
Upon searching the campus, the police found 6 victims and the suspected shooter, who appeared to have died by suicide. Additionally, one victim was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital, and two other deceased individuals were found at a residence related to the school.
The police subsequently issued an alert describing the suspect as a “female wearing a dress with dark brown hair.” The Major Crimes Unit of the British Columbia RCMP has taken over the investigation, continuing to search other residences to determine if there are more related victims or accomplices.
Ernest, the publisher and reporter of the local news media “Tumbler Ridge Lines,” told the Epoch Times that community members received mobile alerts in the afternoon.
Ernest, who had taught at the local high school about six years ago, noted that in the tight-knit community of about 2,400 people, everyone might know who the shooter is but cannot officially disclose it.
Students were initially evacuated to the community center, which was later locked down.
Dawn Wagner, a coordinator at the local Youth Center, connected with a surviving student, who mentioned being locked in a classroom with teachers and other students, unaware of who had been shot.
Wagner’s son was clearing snow outside the community center when he heard the alarm about the intruder on the school premises, witnessing a large number of police cars and emergency personnel rushing to the scene.
Pastor George Rowe of Tumbler Ridge Baptist Church expressed shock over the tragedy, stating that he and his family had lived in the area for 35 years and had never experienced such an event.
“We have been contacting many church members and friends to ensure their safety, trying to understand the context of the incident,” Rowe told the Epoch Times.
Rowe mentioned that there are many rumors circulating about the truth of the event and the attribution of responsibility, but emphasized that he cannot make any comments on it.
He stressed that the community has always been a peaceful and loving environment, free from such incidents.
“After living here for 35 years with my wife and family, raising children and grandchildren, we have never experienced anything like this,” he said. “This has always been a quiet and peaceful, caring community.”
Following the lifting of the evacuation order, Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka expressed heartbreak to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), saying, “I know every victim here. I’ve been here for 19 years; we’re a small community.”
“I don’t call them residents; I call them family,” Krakowka added.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia Premier David Eby both expressed deep condolences for the incident. Eby pledged that the provincial government would provide all necessary support to help the community cope with this “unimaginable tragedy.”
The Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, with only 175 students, was the target of the attack.
The local school district announced that the school and nearby elementary schools would remain closed for the remainder of the week, offering psychological counseling support for students, teachers, and residents.
Currently, although the hours-long evacuation order has been lifted, the police investigation is still ongoing.
(Reference has been made to related reports in the English Epoch Times.)