Princess Kate and Prince William have extended their heartfelt thanks to the students and staff impacted by the shocking school shooting that rocked Canada on Tuesday.

The tragic event, which unfolded at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, claimed the lives of at least nine individuals, including two victims in a private home. Additionally, at least 27 people were injured, marking it as the second-deadliest school shooting in Canadian history.

The assailant, identified as 18-year-old Jesse Strang, died at the scene by suicide. Authorities have yet to determine a motive for this devastating act.

In a social media statement, the Prince and Princess of Wales expressed their solidarity with Canadians, saying, “We stand with all Canadians following this morning’s appalling tragedy.”

They continued, “Our hearts are with the entire Tumbler Ridge community, and we extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends affected by this devastating loss.”

The royal couple also praised the bravery displayed during the crisis, stating, “We are so thankful for the courage shown by the students, staff, and emergency responders who acted with selflessness in the face of such violence.”

Earlier, King Charles expressed his profound ‘shock and sadness’ at the ‘senseless act of brutal violence’ that struck the school.  

Charles, who is the monarch of Canada, said in a message: ‘My wife and I were profoundly shocked and saddened to learn of the most dreadful attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia.

The Prince and Princess of Wales took to social media to express their condolences 

At least nine people were killed, including two at a private residence, and at least 27 others were injured after the shooter opened fire at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia (pictured)

‘We can only express our deepest possible sympathy to the families who are grieving the unimaginable loss of their loved ones and those still awaiting news from hospital.

‘In such a closely connected town, every child’s name will be known and every family will be a neighbour.

‘We can only begin to imagine the appalling shadow that has now descended across Tumbler Ridge and our hearts go out to all those whose lives have been so shattered by this senseless act of brutal violence.

‘I very much wish to thank the town’s police and staff at the health centre for their courage as first responders, and all those across British Columbia who have helped in every way they have.

‘In sending our most heartfelt condolences, my wife and I stand in solidarity with the people of Tumbler Ridge and all Canadians as they seek understanding, healing and strength.’  

A 12-year-old girl was left fighting for life in hospital after she was shot in the head and neck during the shooting.

Maya Gebala was one of those wounded in the attack. Her mother Cia Edmonds said she was by her daughter’s bedside after she was airlifted to Vancouver Children’s Hospital.

Maya Gebala was one of 27 people injured in the shooting. She was shot in the head and neck and is receiving urgent medical treatment at a hospital in Vancouver 

Maya was one of at least two-dozen children and teachers wounded when a ‘female in a dress’ opened fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School

‘Today started as any other. Now, however, my 12-year-old daughter is fighting for her life while they try to repair the damage from a gunshot wound to the head, and one to the neck,’ she said.

Tumbler Ridge auto mechanic teacher Jarbas Noronha said he was locked in his classroom with his students for over two hours before they were escorted to safety.

‘We were in the safest part of the school,’ he told The New York Times. ‘If someone tried to break in through the hallway door, we would run to the yard through the garage doors.’

Noronha added, ‘I’m quite calm, but I still don’t know how many students were hurt. I don’t think many students are in a condition to go back now.’

He said the shooting has shaken Tumbler Ridge, which he describes as a ‘hunting town.’

‘Everyone has guns here,’ Noronha said.  

Student Quinn Campbell, 12, recalled hiding in the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School gymnasium for hours with other students as shots rang out.

‘I was just thinking about all of my friends, if they were okay. Thinking about my family,’ Campbell, who is in Grade 7, told The Globe and Mail.

Police said at least seven students at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School were shot dead on Tuesday afternoon, with two other people also found dead at a residence in Tumbler Ridge, before the shooter killed themselves at the school 

Children were led out of the school as emergency services rushed to the building following the shooting 

She said she and 16 other students, plus a teacher hit in the room with the door locked and the lights off for several hours. 

Tumnler Ridge has just 160 students, between the seventh and twelfth grade, according to its website. 

The school district announced that Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School will be closed for the remainder of the week after Tuesday’s shooting.

‘Due to the tragic events that unfolded in community of Tumbler Ridge today, Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School will be closed for the rest of the week,’ the district said.

‘The district will make supports available and once we have the locations for where the supports will be we will put that information on social media.’ 

Canada’s government has responded to previous mass shootings with gun control measures, according to the Associated Press.

It has banned more than 2,500 makes and models of assault-style firearms since May 2020, and a national freeze on the sale and purchase of handguns took effect in October 2022.

More than 12,000 assault-style weapons were collected and destroyed as part of a compensation program for businesses that ran between November 2024 and April 2025, according to government officials.

A similar program for individuals opened last month to compensate gun owners who voluntarily turn in banned weapons by March 31.

Those who do not participate must dispose of or permanently deactivate their prohibited guns before an amnesty period ends October 30.