Deadly attack at secondary school and nearby home in British Columbia, Canada shocks small town community deeply
New Delhi : A deadly shooting shook the small town of Tumbler Ridge in British Columbia, Canada, on Tuesday afternoon, killing 10 people, including the suspected female shooter, and injuring at least 25 others. Police have confirmed that there is no longer an active threat, but investigators are still working to uncover what led to the attack.
Tumbler Ridge is a remote community of around 2,400 residents, located nearly 1,000 kilometres northeast of Vancouver near the Alberta border. The violence has stunned the close-knit town, where many residents know each other personally.
Gunfire Inside School
The shooting began around 1:20 p.m. on February 10, 2026, when police received reports of gunfire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. The school serves students from Grades 7 to 12 and has about 160 to 175 students enrolled.
As soon as authorities received the call, they issued an emergency alert instructing residents to stay indoors, lock their doors, and avoid the area. Police officers arrived within minutes and immediately entered the school to secure the building.
Inside, officers found six people dead. They also discovered another victim critically injured, who later died while being transported to hospital.
Linked Deaths at Nearby Home
While continuing their investigation, officers searched a nearby residence believed to be connected to the shooting. At that location, they found two more people dead. Police have confirmed that the incident at the house is linked to the school shooting, but they have not yet explained the connection.
Suspect Identified
Police found the suspected shooter dead inside the school. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that the suspect was a woman. An earlier emergency alert described her as wearing a dress and having brown hair.
Investigators believe she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Although police have identified her, they have not released her name. Authorities are still working to determine the motive behind the attack and whether she had any direct connection to the victims or the school.
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So far, police have not confirmed the involvement of any other suspects. However, they continue to examine whether anyone else may have played a role.
Dozens Injured
In addition to the 10 deaths, at least 25 to 27 people suffered injuries. Two victims sustained serious or life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to hospitals outside the town for urgent treatment. Medical teams treated the remaining injured individuals for non-life-threatening wounds.
Officials have not yet released the names or ages of the victims as they continue to notify families and gather details.
Students Acted Quickly
As the shooting unfolded, students and staff acted quickly to protect themselves. Several students barricaded classroom doors with furniture and stayed inside until police secured the building. Officers later escorted them out safely.
Following the attack, authorities placed both the secondary school and the town’s elementary school under lockdown. Officials have announced that the schools will remain closed for the rest of the week to provide counseling, trauma support, and assistance to families.
Community in Shock
The tragedy has deeply affected the entire community. In a small town like Tumbler Ridge, many residents likely knew the victims personally. Local officials have described the attack as heartbreaking and unimaginable.
Authorities have deployed emergency services and mental health professionals to support grieving families and residents as they cope with the loss.
Leaders React
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and called it devastating. He postponed planned international travel to remain focused on the situation in Canada.
British Columbia Premier David Eby also extended condolences to the victims’ families and described the shooting as an “unimaginable tragedy” for the province.
Investigation Continues
Although police have lifted the emergency alert and confirmed there is no ongoing danger to the public, they continue to investigate the case. Officers are working to determine the motive behind the shooting, identify the weapons used, and understand any possible connections between the suspect and the victims.
School shootings remain rare in Canada due to strict gun laws. As a result, authorities are already describing this incident as one of the deadliest in the country’s recent history and the worst school-related shooting in decades.
As the investigation moves forward, the people of Tumbler Ridge continue to mourn and wait for answers
