Ten dead in mass shooting at northern B.C. school

Ten people are dead following a mass shooting in the small northern British Columbia community of Tumbler Ridge, an incident that has shocked residents and drawn national attention.

RCMP say officers responded to reports of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School shortly after 1:20 p.m. local time Tuesday.

During a search of the building, police located multiple victims as well as a person believed to be responsible, who was found dead from what investigators describe as a self-inflicted injury.

Most of the victims were discovered inside the school. One person later died while being transported to hospital, and two others were airlifted with serious injuries. Police say roughly two dozen additional people were treated at a local clinic for injuries considered non-life-threatening.

Investigators later found two more deceased individuals at a nearby home believed to be connected to the incident. Searches of surrounding properties are continuing as officers work to determine whether anyone else was harmed.

An emergency alert urging residents to shelter in place was lifted Tuesday evening, and RCMP say there is no indication of additional suspects or an ongoing threat to the public.

Tumbler Ridge, located in northeastern B.C.’s Peace River region, has a population of about 2,400 people, and the local secondary school serves roughly 160 students.

Schools in the community are expected to remain closed for the rest of the week while supports are put in place.

Police say a motive has not been determined, and investigators have not released the identity of the suspected shooter or details about the weapon involved.

Carney reacts

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he is devastated by the deadly shooting and offers condolences to the friends and families of those killed.

He also thanks the first responders for their courage.

“I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today and in gratitude of the courage and selfishness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens,” says Carney in a statement.

“Our ability to come together in a crisis is the best of our country – our empathy, our unity and our compassion for each other.”

He says he has expressed condolences with Premier Eby and asked the Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree to coordinate a federal response.

A planned visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia and a trade mission in Europe were cancelled in response to the tragedy.

Flags will also be at half-mast on all government buildings for the next week.