The Tumbler Ridge shooting has become the deadliest school related attack in Canada in nearly four decades, leaving 10 people dead, including the suspect, and 27 others injured, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The violence unfolded on the afternoon of February 10 at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a nearby residence in the northeastern B.C. community of roughly 2,400 residents.
Authorities say the suspect, described as a woman with brown hair wearing a dress, was found dead inside the school from a self inflicted gunshot wound. Police believe she was the sole attacker and say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
What Happened in Tumbler Ridge
Investigators have established that the attack spanned two locations:
- Inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School: Six victims were found deceased.
- During medical transport: One victim died while being taken to hospital.
- At a nearby residence linked to the suspect: Two victims were found dead.
The suspect was located inside the school and pronounced dead at the scene.
A regional emergency alert was issued during the incident but was cancelled later the same evening after officers cleared the area. RCMP North District Commander Supt. Ken Floyd confirmed that officers thoroughly searched the school and determined there were no additional shooters.
Injuries and Medical Response
In addition to the fatalities, 27 people were injured. Two remain in critical condition after being airlifted to larger trauma centres. The remaining 25 sustained non life threatening injuries.
The local health centre remains under “Code Orange”, a mass casualty protocol as medical teams continue treating both physical injuries and psychological trauma. Trauma counselling teams have been deployed, and support services are available to residents around the clock.
The Suspect and Ongoing Investigation
Police have confirmed they have identified the suspect but are withholding her name and age while next of kin notifications continue and evidence collection proceeds.
Investigators now believe there may be a domestic connection between the suspect and the residence where two victims were found. Authorities are examining whether the violence may have originated as a domestic incident at that home before escalating to the school.
Key investigative points:
- The suspect died of an apparent self inflicted wound.
- She is believed to have acted alone.
- Major Crimes Units are conducting digital and physical forensic searches, including examination of electronic devices and the residence connected to the suspect.
- Investigators are working to determine the suspect’s relationship to both the home and the school.
- Authorities are analyzing the firearm used and whether it was legally obtained.
Supt. Floyd said investigators are “struggling to determine the why,” noting that uncovering motive in such cases can be complex and may never be fully resolved.
Government Response
The Tumbler Ridge shooting has prompted a significant federal and provincial response.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, facing his first major domestic crisis since taking office, cancelled international travel and remained in Ottawa to coordinate with B.C. Premier David Eby. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is overseeing federal resource deployment to the remote community.
Federal victim services teams have been sent to assist families, while provincial authorities have established crisis support lines and in person counselling services.
Schools Closed, Community in Mourning
All schools in the district, including both secondary and elementary institutions, will remain closed for the rest of the week.
A growing memorial of flowers and candles has formed outside the secondary school. Community leaders say a town wide vigil will be organized once police allow broader access to the area.
Mayor Darryl Krakowka noted the scale of the loss in the small town, saying he is likely to know every victim personally.
Where This Tragedy Fits in Canadian History
The Tumbler Ridge shooting is being described as the third-deadliest mass killing in modern Canadian history and the deadliest school attack since the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre.
For context:
- Nova Scotia attacks (2020): 22 people killed, the deadliest mass killing in Canadian history.
- École Polytechnique massacre (1989): 14 women killed in Montreal.
- Tumbler Ridge shooting (2026): 10 dead, including the suspect.
It also stands out for several reasons:
- Rare suspect profile: Mass shootings are overwhelmingly committed by men; a female suspect is highly unusual in incidents of this scale.
- Deadliest in British Columbia history.
- School setting: Canada has experienced few fatal school attacks in recent decades.
The event is already reigniting national discussion about firearm access and existing Canadian gun control laws.
What Comes Next
The B.C. Coroners Service is expected to release the official list of victims in the coming days. Investigators continue forensic testing, evidence analysis, and interviews to reconstruct the sequence of events.
For Tumbler Ridge, the focus now shifts from emergency response to long term recovery, grief, and support for a community where the impact of the tragedy will be widely and deeply felt.