Canada school shooting latest: ‘Female in a dress’ identified as suspect after nine killed and dozens injured

A student at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School told CBC News that the community should “hold each other close”.

At least nine were killed – including six at the secondary school – in a mass shooting at multiple locations in Tumbler Ridge on Tuesday.

“The reality of it all is starting to set in,” Darian Quist, a Grade 12 student, said.

He said the situation is “almost surreal”.

“It felt like I was somewhere that I had only seen across a TV.”

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has suspended a trip to Europe in order to respond to the school shooting in British Columbia.

Mr Carney was scheduled to fly to Halifax on Wednesday to announce a long-awaited defence industrial strategy, before flying to Munich where he would meet world leaders at the Munich Security Conference, according to the Toronto Star.

We can bring you comments from Pastor George Rowe of the Tumbler Ridge Fellowship Baptist Church, who went to the recreation center where the victims' families were awaiting more information.

"It was not a pretty sight. Families are still waiting to hear if it's their child that's deceased and because of protocol and procedure the investigating team is very careful in releasing names," Pastor Rowe said.

"The big thing tonight was my having to walk away and the families still waiting to find out. It is so difficult. Other pastors and counselors are there so they are not alone."

Pastor Rowe once taught at the high school and his three children graduated from there.

"To walk through the corridors of that school will never be the same again," he said.

In a heartfelt post on social media, a resident of Tumbler Ridge has recalled seeing school kids “running and laughing” on the morning of the shooting.

“I’m writing this as someone who is just beginning to call this place home,” Tasha Ann Goodine wrote on Facebook. “And has someone who, like many of you, felt the shock and heartbreak of today’s emergency alert ripple straight through my chest.”

Ms Goodine recalled driving past the school on Tuesday morning, hours before the shooting was carried out.

“The town was calm and beautiful. The elementary kids were laughing and running around like kids should,” she said.

“Teenagers were just… being teenagers. No chaos. No trouble. Just a normal northern morning.”

She added: “My heart is with every parent, every student, every educator, and every resident who felt shaken today. As someone joining this community, I stand with you in wanting transparency, safety, and care — so this town can remain what it has always been meant to be: a place where people feel at home, not afraid.”

Read everything you need to know in five bullet points with The Independent’s Bulletin:

Local officials have announced that both Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School will remain closed for the rest of the week, according to an update shared on the district’s website.

Nine people were killed in the mass shooting at the school and a home on Tuesday in Tumbler Ridge in British Columbia.

The suspected shooter was also found dead with what police described as a “self-inflicted wound”.

Police said in a statement: “Work continues to determine whether a second suspect was involved and the total number of victims involved.”

Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark, a UN-affiliated organisation which protects areas of geological significance, has issued its thoughts for everyone affected by the shooting.

“We want to acknowledge the deeply distressing incident our community experienced today,” it said in a statement on social media.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we recognize that many people may be feeling shaken, frightened, or overwhelmed.”

The Geopark urged people to check in on neighbours, friends and family, adding that “caring for one another is essential”.

It added: “Tumbler Ridge is a close-knit and resilient community, and that strength matters now more than ever.”

A resident of Tumbler Ridge has spoken out on Facebook about the fear and devastation which has washed over the small town of 2,400.

“It is a very sad situation here in Tumbler Ridge, many of us are already very shaken in our sense of safety and security and only beginning to be grieving in so many ways,” Tammy Rehbein said on Facebook.

Mr Rehbein and his family were not injured in the shooting. But in Tumbler Ridge, he said, “we all know each other and are all affected”.

He added: “So sad... Our community will be needing a lot of support after this nightmare.

“Thank you for everyone who is helping each other as much as we can at this point and for those who have reached out to me specifically, you are all very appreciated.”