A female shooter killed nine people and injured 27 others at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia on February 10, before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The attack marks Canada’s deadliest school shooting in decades and has sent shockwaves through a remote mining town of fewer than 2,500 residents.
Why This Is Dominating Headlines
This tragedy represents one of the most severe mass casualty events in recent Canadian history, coming in a country known for strict gun control laws and extremely rare school violence. The scale of casualties—particularly in such a small, tight-knit community—has prompted national mourning and renewed questions about how such violence reaches even Canada’s most remote corners.
What Happened at the School
At 1:20 PM local time on Tuesday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police received an emergency call about an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Officers arrived within two minutes of the emergency call—a response time authorities credit with saving lives.
The timeline unfolded rapidly:
- Active shooter alert issued describing a brown-haired woman in a gown​​
- Six victims found dead inside the school building
- One additional victim died en route to hospital
- Two more bodies discovered at a nearby residence connected to the incident
- Suspected shooter found deceased at the school from apparent self-inflicted wound
Approximately 100 students and staff were safely evacuated from the building. The lockdown was lifted by 5:45 PM after police confirmed no additional suspects or threats to public safety.​
The Injured and Emergency Response
Twenty-seven people sustained injuries in the attack, with two suffering life-threatening wounds that required airlift evacuation. A Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service aircraft was dispatched from Grande Prairie, Alberta, to transport the most critically injured.
British Columbia’s Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger described the scene as having injuries ranging from “profoundly serious” to “more minor”. She praised first responders at a press briefing: “Speed and professionalism saved lives today”.
The local police force’s two-minute response time and hours of victim assessment likely prevented additional casualties. Superintendent Floyd described the shooting scene as “very dramatic” with extensive injuries across the school.​
A Community in Shock
Tumbler Ridge is a remote resource town nestled in the Peace River region of northeastern British Columbia. With a population under 2,500, virtually everyone knows each other—making the tragedy deeply personal for every resident.​
The District of Tumbler Ridge released a statement calling the shooting “deeply distressing” and acknowledging the collective trauma: “We understand that many residents may be experiencing shock, fear, and overwhelm”. The statement emphasized checking in on neighbors and utilizing available mental health resources in the coming days.​
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School serves grades 7-12 with approximately 175 students, operated by School District 59 Peace River South. The school participates in an international student program, potentially meaning victims may include foreign exchange students.​
National Response
Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement expressing devastation over the shootings: “I join Canadians in mourning those whose lives have been irreversibly affected today, and I am grateful for the bravery and selflessness of the first responders who risk their lives to protect others”.​
Carney emphasized that the collective response during crisis reflects Canada’s “empathy, unity, and compassion”. British Columbia Premier David Eby called the incident an “unimaginable tragedy” during his press briefing.
Historical Context
This shooting is Canada’s deadliest since the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks, which prompted major gun control reforms. School shootings remain exceptionally rare in Canada compared to the United States, making this event particularly shocking for a nation unaccustomed to such violence.
Public Safety Minister Krieger noted the shooting sent “shockwaves through the community and the entire province”. The incident has reignited discussions about violence prevention even in countries with strict firearm regulations.
The Investigation Continues
Police have not yet commented on a potential motive for the attack. Superintendent Floyd acknowledged that “determining the ‘why’ may be challenging, but we will do our utmost to uncover what transpired”.​
Authorities confirmed they are “pursuing all leads to establish a connection to the shooter” and investigating the relationship between the school victims and the two individuals found dead at a nearby residence. The shooter’s identity has not been publicly released as of Wednesday.​
The tragedy underscores that even Canada’s most remote communities are not immune to mass violence, leaving a nation grappling with how to protect its children in an increasingly uncertain world.