Woman suspect among 10 killed in Canada school shooting.
Police continue investigating potential second suspect and exact number of victims in school shooting.
Heartbreak in Tumbler Ridge: 10 Dead, Including Shooter, in School Shooting Nightmare
In the quiet mountain town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, a day meant for learning shattered into unimaginable horror. Ten lives—precious students, teachers, and community members—were stolen Wednesday when a female shooter opened fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. At least 25 others lie wounded, their families clinging to desperate hope amid waves of sorrow.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) pieced together the tragedy that unfolded around 1:20 p.m. local time. Six victims were found lifeless inside the school, their dreams cut short in hallways echoing with fear. Another succumbed en route to the hospital, while two more were discovered dead in a nearby residence, hinting at a ripple of violence beyond the classroom walls. The shooter, described in urgent alerts as a woman in a dress with brown hair, ended her own life within the school—self-inflicted, authorities believe. Two survivors were airlifted to hospitals, fighting serious, life-threatening injuries that leave everyone holding their breath.
Tumbler Ridge police sprang into action, issuing a stark 2 p.m. shelter-in-place order. “Lock your doors, stay inside, don’t go out,” they urged residents, hearts pounding as helicopters buzzed overhead. The alert, first reported by the Globe and Mail, painted a chilling picture of the suspect fleeing the scene. For five agonizing hours, this tight-knit community of about 2,500 held its collective breath, parents hugging children tight, neighbors whispering prayers. Finally, around 7 p.m., the order lifted, and life tentatively resumed—but nothing would ever be the same.
RCMP North District Chief Superintendent Ken Floyd addressed the shell-shocked crowd, his voice steady but eyes heavy with unspoken pain. Around 100 students and staff were safely evacuated, a small mercy in the chaos. “We’re still trying to understand what drove this,” Floyd said, the weight of the unknown pressing down. “Multiple layers of support are coming—for our students, our teachers, this incredible community of Tumbler Ridge.” Counselors rushed in, but how do you heal a wound this deep? Parents like Sarah Jenkins, waiting outside the evacuation zone, shared her raw fear: “I just want my boy back in my arms. This place was safe—our home.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s words cut through the nation’s grief via social media. “I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today,” he wrote, “and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens.” His message resonated in a town where everyone knows everyone, where school is the heartbeat of daily life.
As night fell over the snow-capped peaks, Tumbler Ridge mourned. Vigils flickered with candles, tears flowed freely, and questions lingered: Was there a second suspect? How many more victims? Police vowed to uncover the truth, but for now, the focus is on holding each other up. In this remote corner of Canada, a community’s spirit bends but doesn’t break—fueled by love, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds that tragedy can’t sever.