MONTREAL, Canada: At least nine people were killed in a shooting that targeted a secondary school and a nearby residence in the remote town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canadian federal police said on Wednesday.
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), seven victims were shot at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, while two additional bodies were discovered at a connected residence.
Authorities said the individual believed to be responsible for the attack was later found dead with what appears to be a self-inflicted injury, according to AFP.
Police said an active-shooter alert was issued Tuesday afternoon after reports of gunfire at the school. Responding officers searched the building and initially found six people fatally shot. A seventh victim later died while being transported to the hospital, the RCMP said.
During the investigation, officers identified a secondary location linked to the incident, where two more victims were found deceased inside a residence, bringing the death toll to nine.
In addition to the fatalities, 27 people were injured, including two with serious injuries and 25 with non-life-threatening wounds, police confirmed.
Canadian media reports suggested the suspect may have been female, but the RCMP did not release any details regarding the identity, gender, or motive of the shooter.
“This was a rapidly evolving and dynamic situation, and the swift cooperation from the school, first responders, and the community played a critical role in our response,” RCMP Northern District Commander Ken Floyd said in a statement.
“This has been an incredibly difficult and emotional day for our community,” he added.
Tumbler Ridge is a small, remote community located more than 1,100 kilometers (680 miles) north of Vancouver, British Columbia’s largest city. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as officials work to notify families and provide support to those affected.
