At least ten people are dead and upwards of 25 injured following a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, a small community located 300 km northeast of Prince George.The suspect, described as a "female in a dress with brown hair," was found deceased after allegedly carrying out the attack with what appeared to be "self-inflicted" wounds.According to BC RCMP, reports of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School first started coming in around 1:20 p.m. Tuesday. A Police Initiated Public Alert was issued and officers arrived on scene a short time later. Once inside the school, officers discovered six people deceased, including the suspected shooter. Approximately 27 others were injured, including two with serious or life‑threatening injuries. One victim died while en route to hospital.Police later identified a home "believed to be connected to the incident." Two additional victims were found deceased. Officers are working to determine whether anyone else may was injured or killed..During a press conference Tuesday evening, Senior Media Relations Officer Kris Clark said there was little additional information the RCMP could divulge, though he did confirm that the "gunperson" found deceased is the same person described in the initial public alert.He added that the RCMP is "committed to providing more information and providing answers to you in the coming days ahead.".According to National Post columnist Amy Hamm, two locals have claimed that the shooter was a "trans identified male" and allegedly murdered their mother and brother before heading to the school."The victim they’ve identified does have a 17 yr old son, and a Facebook profile with the same last name as the alleged mother lists she/they pronouns," Hamm wrote, "and (disturbingly) I happened to be in a private Facebook group with the alleged victim—she expressed concerns about this child, who would be the alleged shooter, 10 years ago (when the son was 7) for taking pleasure from hurting siblings."She added that "the alleged victim also expressed concern that the son was 'mean' at times, and that teachers were pushing for behavioural assessments.".An X user claiming to live four doors down from the shooter's family echoed the account of how the attack unfolded.This information has not been verified by authorities..As it stands, this is the third deadliest shooting in Canadian history, with only the École Polytechnique massacre of 1989 and Nova Scotia shootings in 2020 resulting in more casualties.Upon hearing the news, Peace River South MLA Larry Neufeld informed residents he was "leaving Victoria immediately" to be with those impacted.."I will continue to stay closely engaged as this situation evolves," he said.."Our hearts are in Tumbler Ridge tonight with the families of those who have lost loved ones," Premier David Eby said in a post on X. "Government will ensure every possible support for community members in the coming days, as we all try to come to terms with this unimaginable tragedy."."Devastated to hear of the many innocent people murdered and injured in a senseless act of violence at a local high school in Tumbler Ridge," Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre wrote. "Our prayers are with the families, students, teachers, first responders, and the entire community grieving this profound loss."
