At least 9 killed, dozens injured in shootings at British Columbia high school and home, officials say

At least nine people were killed and dozens more injured in shootings at a high school and residence in the northeast part of the province of British Columbia, Canadian police said Tuesday. The suspected shooter is dead, officials said.

The school shooting was first reported at 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a news release.

Authorities responded to find six people dead inside the school, the RCMP said, and a seventh person died while being transported to a hospital.

Police also responded to a second crime scene at a residence that is believed to have been linked to the school shooting, where two more people were found dead, RCMP reported. The exact nature of their injuries were not immediately disclosed.

Two more people from the shooting at the school were airlifted to area hospitals with serious or life-threatening injuries, police said.

The suspected gunman was found dead in the school from a “self-inflicted injury,” Canadian police said.

About 25 others were assessed at a local medical center for non-life-threatening injuries, the RCMP disclosed.

Police had earlier asked residents of the town of Tumbler Ridge, which has a population of about 2,400 people, to stay inside as additional police resources are being deployed to the area from neighboring areas. A community-wide alert was canceled at 5:45 p.m., and investigators believed there were no suspects outstanding in the incident, RCMP said.

The Peace River South School District initially said Tuesday that there was a “lockdown and secure and hold” at both the secondary school and the Tumbler Ridge Elementary school. It later said both schools would be closed through the rest of the week. 

The provincial government website lists Tumbler Ridge Secondary School as having 175 students from Grades 7 to 12.

Larry Neufeld, the member of the legislature for Peace River South, told reporters at the legislature that an “excess” of resources, including RCMP and ambulance support, have been sent to the community. He said he didn’t want to release any more information over concerns that it might jeopardize the safety of the ongoing operation. 

“Our hearts are in Tumbler Ridge tonight with the families of those who have lost loved ones,” David Eby, premier of British Columbia, wrote in a social media post. “Government will ensure every possible support for community members in the coming days, as we all try to come to terms with this unimaginable tragedy.”