Details are emerging about a mass shooting in a northeastern B.C. community. Ten people are dead, including the suspect, and approximately 25 were injured.
Police called to school
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police say they first received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at approximately 1:20 p.m. local time Tuesday.
“As part of the initial response to the active shooting, police entered the school to locate the threat,” the B.C. RCMP wrote in a statement Tuesday evening. “During the search, officers located multiple victims. An individual believed to be the shooter was also found deceased with what appears to be a self‑inflicted injury.”
Six other people were found dead inside the school, and one additional victim died while being taken to hospital. Two others were airlifted from the school with serious injuries, police said.
Two more victims were found dead inside a home police believe is connected to the incident. Police said officers were searching additional homes and properties to determine if anyone else may have been hurt.
Approximately 25 additional people were treated at a local clinic for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
“All remaining students and staff were safely evacuated. Police are working closely with the school district to support a co-ordinated reunification process for families,” the RCMP said.
Kaija Jussinoja, CTVNewsVancouver.ca journalist. Read the full story here.
Carney grieves
Prime Minister Mark Carney shared a response on social media, saying that he connected with B.C. Premier David Eby and is co-ordinating a federal response with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree.
“I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today, and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens,” Carney said.
“Our ability to come together in crisis is the best of our country — our empathy, our unity, and our compassion for each other.”
Soon after, the Prime Minister’s Office released a statement that Carney will postpone both a defence announcement in Halifax on Wednesday and his planned trip to Germany for the Munich Security Conference.
Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre said he was devastated to hear of “the many innocent people murdered and injured in a senseless act of violence.”
CTVNews.ca staff. Read the full story here.
‘Wrap these families with love’
Hours after one of the worst mass shootings in Canadian history, B.C. Premier David Eby urged people across the province to throw their support behind those grieving in Tumbler Ridge.
“We can’t imagine what the community is going through, but I know it’s causing us all to hug our kids a little bit tighter,” Eby said at a news conference in downtown Vancouver.
“Wrap these families with love—not just tonight, but tomorrow and into the future. This is something that will reverberate for years to come.”
Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca journalist. Read the full story here.