Canada is mourning after a tragic mass shooting struck the small community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, leaving nine dead and at least 25 injured in attacks at a local secondary school and a nearby home.
The violence occurred on Tuesday, February 10, in this town of roughly 2,400 people, nestled in the Rocky Mountain foothills about 415 miles north of Vancouver near the Alberta border. In a place where everyone knows one another, the scale of the tragedy has shaken families, students, and first responders alike.
Authorities report that the deadliest location was Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which serves about 175 students. Police responding to reports of an active shooter discovered multiple victims inside the building. Six people were pronounced dead at the scene, with a seventh dying on the way to the hospital.
Investigators also found the suspected shooter dead inside the school, apparently from a self-inflicted injury. Chief Superintendent Ken Floyd of the Canadian federal police confirmed that the individual matched descriptions from an earlier emergency alert—a woman with brown hair wearing a dress. Officials have not released the suspect’s name, connections to the school, or details about the weapon.
The attack extended to a nearby residence, where two more victims were found dead. Authorities have not shared additional details about the home, citing the ongoing investigation.
Students inside the school described terrifying moments of fear and disbelief. One Grade 12 student told CBC that classmates barricaded doors with tables to stay safe. “It felt like something you only see on TV,” the student said.
Law enforcement stressed that many questions remain, particularly around the motive. “We may struggle to fully understand the ‘why,’ but we will do everything we can to determine what happened,” Chief Superintendent Floyd said. The RCMP confirmed there are no other suspects.
National leaders expressed sorrow. Prime Minister Mark Carney called the shootings “horrific” and offered condolences to families, while British Columbia Premier David Eby described the event as an “unimaginable tragedy,” urging support for the town.
Around 100 students and staff were evacuated, and the secondary school, the elementary school, and a local college remained closed for the week as investigators processed the scenes and the community mourned. Victims’ names have not been released as officials notify families.
While mass shootings are uncommon in Canada, past tragedies—including the 1989 Montreal massacre and the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks—led to stricter gun control laws targeting military-style firearms. Against this backdrop, the Tumbler Ridge shooting is now considered one of the deadliest in modern Canadian history. The small-town setting has amplified the shock, leaving residents struggling to come to terms with the violence.
Authorities are continuing to piece together the timeline and work toward understanding the motive, but Tumbler Ridge is left grappling with profound grief. Parents face unimaginable loss, students carry trauma, and first responders return from scenes that will linger long after the headlines fade. This close-knit mountain town now faces a devastating wound that will leave lasting scars.