A devastating mass shooting at a secondary school in the remote British Columbia town of Tumbler Ridge has left the country in shock, marking one of the deadliest incidents of school violence in recent Canadian history.
The shooting unfolded shortly after 1:20 p.m. on February 10, 2026, when the RCMP received reports of gunfire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which serves approximately 175 students in Grades 7 through 12. Police responded within minutes and issued an active shooter alert, urging residents to shelter in place while officers secured the area.
Authorities later confirmed that nine people were killed, including the suspected shooter. Among the victims were students and a teacher at the school. Investigators also discovered additional victims at a nearby residence believed to be connected to the incident. The suspect was found deceased at the scene.
In addition to the fatalities, dozens of people were injured, with some transported to regional hospitals for further treatment. Emergency medical teams, air ambulances, and crisis response units were deployed to assist victims and support the community.
The tragedy has deeply shaken Tumbler Ridge, a town of roughly 2,700 residents nestled in northeastern British Columbia. Known for its quiet, close-knit atmosphere, the community is unaccustomed to violence of this scale. Residents gathered in vigils Tuesday evening as families awaited updates from authorities.
British Columbia Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney issued statements expressing profound sorrow and offering condolences to the families of those lost. Flags across Canada were lowered to half-mast in honour of the victims.
After police determined there was no ongoing threat, students and staff were evacuated to a nearby community centre where parents were reunited with their children. Both the secondary and elementary schools in Tumbler Ridge have been closed for the remainder of the week. Counselling and trauma support services have been made available to students, staff, and residents.
The RCMP Major Crime Unit is leading the investigation. Authorities have not yet released information regarding a motive and say the investigation remains active. Police confirmed that firearms were recovered at the scene and are being examined as part of the inquiry.
As investigators work to piece together what led to the attack, the focus in Tumbler Ridge remains on grieving families and supporting a community struggling to comprehend an act of violence that has altered it forever.
More updates are expected as officials continue their investigation.
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