Canadian police say at least 9 killed in British Columbia mass shooting involving a school

At least nine people have been killed in a mass shooting involving a school in British Columbia Tuesday and dozens more are injured, Canadian police say.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a news release the nine victims and the suspected gunman are dead after the shooting that took place across multiple locations in Tumbler Ridge.

Six people were found dead inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and another died when being taken to a hospital, according to RCMP. Two more people were found dead in a home in the community, police said.

The suspected shooter was also found dead with “what appears to be a self‑inflicted injury” inside the school, police say. The identities of the suspected shooter and victims are unknown at this time. A motive for the shooting was not immediately clear.

Police said they received a report of an active shooter at the Tumbler Ridge school at around 1:20 p.m. MT Tuesday.

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“The alert was officially canceled at 5:45 p.m. as police do not believe there are any outstanding suspects or ongoing threat to the public,” RCMP said.

Aside from those killed in the shooting, two more victims were airlifted to a hospital with “serious or life‑threatening injuries,” according to police.

RCMP said about 25 others were being treated for “non-life-threatening” injuries. The rest of the students and staff were “safely evacuated” from the school, police said.

Authorities said they are searching other homes and properties for more victims or people “otherwise linked to today’s events.”

“This was a rapidly evolving and dynamic situation, and the swift cooperation from the school, first responders, and the community played a critical role in our response,” Superintendent Ken Floyd, North District Commander, said in a statement.

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“Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and all those impacted by this tragic incident. This has been an incredibly difficult and emotional day for our community, and we are grateful for the cooperation shown as officers continue their work to advance the investigation,” Floyd continued.

The local school district said in a statement that the Tumbler Ridge secondary and elementary schools will be closed for the rest of the week “due to the tragic events that unfolded.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “devastated” by the shooting and offered his “prayers and deepest condolences” to “the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence.”

“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 wrote on X.

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B.C. Premier David Eby called the shooting an “unimaginable tragedy.”

“Our hearts are in Tumbler Ridge tonight with the families of those who have lost loved ones,” Eby wrote. “Government will ensure every possible support for community members in the coming days, as we all try to come to terms with this unimaginable tragedy.”

Bob Zimmer, a member of Parliament for Tumbler Ridge, also expressed his condolences, writing, “My sincere thoughts and prayers go out for the victims still in hospital and for those Tumbler Ridge families who have lost loved ones today.”