Remote B.C. community faces grief, trauma as RCMP probe spans school and nearby residence
TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — A tight-knit community in British Columbia’s Peace Region is in mourning after a deadly shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a related incident at a nearby home left 9 people murdered, and the suspected shooter dead from shooting himself. There were also 25 injured, police and media reports say.
The RCMP issued an emergency alert telling residents to shelter in place as officers moved into the school to locate the threat.
In an update, police said they found multiple victims and an individual believed to be the shooter deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury.
School District 59 said the RCMP cancelled the active alert at 6:45 p.m., ending the lockdown and “secure and hold” measures at both the secondary and elementary schools.
What investigators say happened
According to reporting based on RCMP briefings, victims were found inside the high school and at a nearby residence believed to be connected to the incident. Officials have said the motive remains under investigation and, at this stage, have not publicly detailed the suspect’s relationship to the victims.
Authorities have also emphasized that updates should be taken from official channels as the investigation unfolds.
Injury figures released through RCMP briefings indicate two people suffered life-threatening injuries, with others treated for non-life-threatening wounds.
Prime Minister Carney: “Devastated” and promising federal support
In a statement issued from Ottawa, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “devastated by today’s horrific shootings,” offering condolences to families and thanking first responders for their courage. Carney said he spoke with B.C. Premier David Eby and with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, who is coordinating the federal response.
Speaking to reporters the next day, Carney said, “We will get through this,” urging Canadians to come together to support one another as the country grieves.
Why this resonates in Northwestern Ontario
For readers in Thunder Bay and across the North, the tragedy underscores how quickly crises can overwhelm smaller, remote communities—where schools are central gathering places, specialized medical care can be hours away, and first responders often know the victims personally.
The response in Tumbler Ridge also highlights the importance of rapid inter-agency coordination, reliable emergency communications, and sustained mental health supports long after the scene is cleared—lessons familiar to northern communities across Canada.
As investigators continue their work, officials are urging patience as families await confirmed information.
If you or someone you know is struggling after traumatic news, help is available: in Canada, call or text 988 for immediate crisis support.
