WEB DESK: A woman opened fire at a high school in western Canada on Tuesday, killing nine people before taking her own life, according to police. This marks one of the most devastating mass casualty events in Canada’s recent history, a rarity compared to similar incidents in the neighboring United States.
Six victims were found inside the Tumbler Ridge high school in northern British Columbia. Two more were discovered at a related residence, and another died during transport to the hospital. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported at least two individuals in critical condition and up to 25 others with non-life-threatening injuries.
The shooter was identified as a woman, an uncommon detail in North American mass shootings, which are typically carried out by men. Authorities described her in an active shooter alert and later confirmed she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police assured the public that there are no further threats or suspects. They have not disclosed whether any victims were minors.
Tumbler Ridge, a small town of 2,400 residents in northern British Columbia, is reeling from this tragedy. The area, located near the Rocky Mountains, is now marked by one of Canada’s deadliest shootings. Superintendent Ken Floyd reported multiple casualties at the school and warned the victim count might rise as assessments continue.
Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the tragedy in a statement, expressing condolences to the victims’ loved ones. The incident draws comparisons to prior dark moments in Canada’s history, such as the 2020 Nova Scotia shootings and the 1989 massacre at Montreal’s Ecole Polytechnique.
