By Blessing Nweke
A gunman killed seven people at a secondary school in northeastern British Columbia on Tuesday, while two others were found dead at a nearby residence believed to be connected to the attack, authorities said. The suspected shooter was also found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said officers responded to reports of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School around 1:20 p.m. Six victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and a seventh died while being transported to a hospital. Two others were airlifted with life-threatening injuries, while about 25 people suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The campus was evacuated.
Police later went to a residence believed to be linked to the suspect and discovered two additional victims dead inside. Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased. RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd said investigators believe they have identified the shooter but are withholding the name pending further investigation. A motive has not been determined.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said officers arrived at the school within two minutes of the first report of gunfire. “That speed and professionalism saved lives today,” he said, calling the tragedy one that “will reverberate for years to come.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney described the violence as “horrific” and extended condolences to grieving families. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called it “a senseless act of violence.”
Tumbler Ridge, a coal-mining community of about 2,400 residents, is considered one of the province’s deadliest mass shooting scenes. Schools in the district were closed for the remainder of the week, and trauma counselors were dispatched to support the close-knit community.
Original article
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