Nine People Killed In Tumbler Ridge mass shooting

Canadian police say nine people have been killed in a mass shooting at a school and home in the remote rural community of Tumbler Ridge in the western British Columbia province.

Another 25 people were injured, and the suspect’s body was also found at the scene.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said they received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at 13:20 local time on Tuesday (20:20 GMT).

The police responded by deploying officers to the scene, and issuing an active shooter alert for the rural community and a surrounding area.

“Shelter in place, lock your doors and refrain from leaving your home or business at this time” local residents were told.

A “hold and secure” lockdown was activated at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and nearby Tumble Ridge Elementary School.

British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger said police officers arrived at Tumbler Ridge Secondary school “within two minutes” of receiving the call of an active shooting.

She said such a swift response “no doubt” saved lives.

Tumbler Ridge has about 2,400 residents, and its secondary school has 160 students in Grades 7-12.

In an update, the RCMP said that “six additional individuals, not including the suspect, have been located deceased inside the school.

“Two victims have been airlifted to hospital with serious or life‑threatening injuries. A third victim died while being transported to hospital,” an RCMP statement said.

“Approximately 25 others are being assessed and triaged at the local medical centre for non‑life‑threatening injuries.”

The statement added that another two victims were found in a nearby home.

“As part of the ongoing investigation, police have identified a secondary location believed to be connected to the incident, where two additional victims were located deceased in a residence.”

The RCMP said police were still searching for more potential victims: “Officers are conducting further searches of additional homes and properties to determine whether anyone else may be injured or otherwise linked to today’s events.”

The names and ages of the victims were not immediately known.

Canadian authorities said they knew the identity of the suspect – but are yet to release further details.

The suspect was found dead inside the school with a self-inflicted injury following the shootings.

At a news conference, RCMP North District Commander Chief Supt Ken Floyd confirmed the suspect was the same person police described in an earlier alert sent to local residents.

That alert described a “female in a dress with brown hair” – but the person’s name or gender are yet to be publicly released.

The police also said they were investigating the attacker’s possible motives and whether the suspect had any connection to the school.