9 dead, shooter dead, 25 injured in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. school shooting
By Amy Judd
At least nine people were killed in a school shooting Tuesday afternoon in British Columbia’s Peace region, in which the suspected shooter also ended up dead.
RCMP said there were “multiple victims” from a shooting at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where students attend Grades 7 through 12.
RCMP in Tumbler Ridge issued an emergency alert on Tuesday afternoon for an active shooter following reports of a shooting at a school.
When officers entered the school on Tuesday afternoon, they found six victims dead, RCMP confirmed. Two more victims were found at another location, while another victim died on the way to hospital.
An individual believed to be the shooter was also found dead with what appears to be a self‑inflicted injury.
Two other injured people have been airlifted to hospital with serious or life‑threatening injuries.
Approximately 25 others are being assessed and triaged at the local medical centre for non‑life‑threatening injuries.
RCMP Supt. Ken Floyd, North District Commander, said they have identified the shooter, but they are not releasing their identity at this time.
He would not provide details on how many victims were children or adults and did not provide any information on the weapon or weapons used.
A Grade 9 student told Global News that he had to hide in a closet in a classroom with other children and they didn’t know what was going on.
The active shooter alert was lifted at 5:46 p.m. PT.
The suspect was originally described as a female in a dress with brown hair.
In a post on social media, School District 59 said it was aware of a lockdown and secure and hold at Tumbler Ridge Secondary and Tumbler Ridge Elementary.
Just after 5 p.m. PT, Tumbler Ridge Elementary School confirmed that they can release their students to their parents or guardians.
The elementary and secondary schools will be closed for the remainder of the week, the district confirmed.
BC Emergency Health Services from surrounding areas also responded, they confirmed.
Alberta-based STARS Air Ambulance, which airlifts critically sick and injured patients to hospital, confirmed it sent a crew from Grande Prairie to help in Tumbler Ridge.
STARS is taking patients to hospital in Edmonton, some 600 kilometres southeast in Alberta.
The District of Tumbler Ridge issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon, saying that the community “experienced a deeply distressing incident. Our hearts are with all those affected, and we recognize that many residents may be feeling shocked, scared, and overwhelmed.”
The district said they are grateful for the swift response of local emergency services and first responders and additional support is already in the community or on its way.
“In the days ahead, we know this will be difficult for many to process,” the statement read.
“Please check in on one another, lean on available supports, and know that Tumbler Ridge is a strong and caring community. We will get through this together.”
Longtime resident Garret Golhof told Global News he has never seen anything like this in his community.
“I right away locked the doors like I said, and I told the care aid there had been a shooting and she found out that her granddaughter had been injured in this and taken to the clinic,” he said.
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Larry Neufeld, the MLA for Peace River South, said he was leaving Victoria immediately to return to his riding.
“I have been in direct contact with the Solicitor General to receive updates and to ensure all necessary provincial resources are being made available to support local law enforcement and emergency responders,” he said.
“Public safety is the absolute priority. I urge everyone in the area to follow RCMP instructions, remain sheltered, and rely only on official updates.”
Tumbler Ridge is located in northeastern B.C., south of Chetwynd, about 100 kilometres west of the Alberta-B.C. border.
The provincial government website lists Tumbler Ridge Secondary School as having 175 students from Grades 7 to 12.
