Tucked within the Canadian Rockies, Tumbler Ridge is positioned over 1,000 kilometers northeast of Vancouver, close to the Alberta border. The provincial government notes that Tumbler Ridge Secondary School accommodates about 175 students spanning grades seven through twelve.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, visibly moved, addressed the nation upon his arrival in Parliament on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT), stating, “Families in Tumbler Ridge will awaken without their loved ones. The nation grieves alongside you, and Canada stands with you.” His words resonated deeply with a mourning community and nation.

In a show of solidarity, Carney announced that flags on government buildings nationwide would be flown at half-mast for seven days. “We will get through this,” he assured, seeking to provide comfort and unity during a time of profound sorrow.

Canada rarely experiences school shootings, largely due to its stringent gun control laws. In response to past mass shootings, the government has enacted further restrictions, including recently extending a ban on firearms classified as assault weapons.

The tragic events of Tuesday mark the deadliest shooting spree in Canada since 2020, when a gunman in Nova Scotia claimed 13 lives and set fires that resulted in nine additional deaths.

In light of the tragedy, Carney’s office announced the suspension of his scheduled visits to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Munich, Germany. He had planned to unveil a much-anticipated defence industrial strategy in Halifax on Wednesday before attending the Munich Security Conference in Europe.

British Columbia Premier David Eby told reporters that police officers reached the school within two minutes.

A video showed students walking out with hands raised as police vehicles surrounded the building and a helicopter circled overhead.

Police found six people dead, RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd said. A seventh person died while being transported to a hospital, and two more were found dead at a residence the authorities believe was connected to the attack. A suspect appeared to have died of a “self-inflicted injury”.

Floyd told reporters that investigators had identified a female suspect but would not release a name, and that the shooter’s motive remained unclear. He said police are investigating the connection between the shooter and the victims.

Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka said it was “devastating” to learn how many had died in the community of 2700, which he called a “big family”.

“I broke down,” Krakowka said.

“I have lived here for 18 years. I probably know every one of the victims.”

The Reverend George Rowe of the Tumbler Ridge Fellowship Baptist Church went to the recreation centre where victims’ families were awaiting more than information.

“It was not a pretty sight. Families are still waiting to hear if it’s their child that’s deceased and because of protocol and procedure, the investigating team is very careful in releasing names,” Rowe said on Tuesday.

“The big thing tonight was my having to walk away and the families still waiting to find out. It is so difficult. Other pastors and counsellors are there, so they are not alone.”

Rowe once taught at the high school and his three children graduated from there.

“To walk through the corridors of that school will never be the same again,” he said.

The school district said the high school and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School will be closed for the rest of the week.

Eby on Tuesday said he had spoken to the prime minister about the “unimaginable tragedy”.

“I know it’s causing us all to hug our kids a little bit tighter tonight,” he said.

“I’m asking the people of British Columbia to look after the people of Tumbler Ridge tonight.”

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