During the initial investigation, detectives identified what they called a “secondary location believed to be connected to the incident.” When officers entered a residence several kilometers from the school, they discovered two more deceased victims. Authorities have not released the names or ages of any of the dead pending notification of relatives.
The RCMP said the suspected shooter’s body was found inside the school with a single gunshot wound consistent with suicide. No information regarding a possible motive, the type of firearm used, or the suspect’s relationship to the victims was immediately available. Forensic teams remained at both scenes overnight, and investigators obtained search warrants for additional buildings in an effort to determine whether anyone else was involved or injured.
Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a public statement Tuesday night, saying he was “devastated” by the loss of life and praising first responders who “risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens.” British Columbia Premier Emma Horgan also expressed condolences, adding that provincial resources would be offered to support victims, families and the local community.
Tumbler Ridge lies in the Northern Rockies region, nearly 600 kilometers northeast of Vancouver. Founded in the early 1980s as a mining town, the community has seen its population fluctuate with local economic cycles. Residents described the area as close-knit and generally quiet; the school involved in Tuesday’s shooting enrolls approximately 300 students from grades seven through twelve.
Superintendent David Singh, who oversees the Peace River South School District, announced that all district schools will remain closed until further notice while counselors and trauma specialists are deployed. “Our priority is to ensure the physical safety and emotional well-being of students and staff,” Singh said in a statement distributed to parents.
Because mass shootings are relatively uncommon in Canada, the incident quickly drew national attention. The federal government tightened gun laws in recent years, and ownership of certain semi-automatic firearms is restricted. According to Public Safety Canada, the country recorded 297 firearm-related homicides in 2022, a figure significantly lower per capita than that of the United States.
The RCMP’s Emergency Response Team, air services and canine units were all dispatched Tuesday. Officers escorted students, teachers and staff from the school in small groups, searching each classroom and hallway before declaring the building clear. Witnesses reported that many occupants barricaded themselves inside rooms after hearing the first shots.
Health officials said trauma centers in Prince George, Dawson Creek and Grande Prairie, Alberta, were placed on standby to receive patients. Two medical helicopters and multiple ground ambulances ferried the most critically injured to larger facilities capable of providing advanced care. Provincial authorities have not disclosed the condition of the two victims listed as critical.
Investigators urged anyone with photos, video footage or other information to upload files through an RCMP online evidence portal. They also asked residents to refrain from sharing unverified details on social media to avoid spreading misinformation.
The tragedy reignited debate in Parliament over access to firearms and the adequacy of mental-health resources in rural areas. Opposition leaders called for a comprehensive review of security protocols at schools across the country. The education minister said federal and provincial officials will meet later this week to discuss immediate safety measures and long-term policy responses.
While police have offered no timeline for completing the investigation, they indicated that autopsies would be performed by the BC Coroners Service and results could take several weeks. Authorities added that any future updates would be distributed through official RCMP channels.
Crédito da imagem: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
