UPDATE: RCMP initially reported 10 people were killed on Tuesday but corrected the number to nine on Wednesday.
According to police they initially believed that one female victim with significant injuries passed away while being transported to hospital, but police have since confirmed that is not the case and she is one of the two victims who is in the hospital in serious condition.
RCMP said 10 people are dead, including a suspected shooter, after a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday afternoon.
Police received a report of an active shooter at the school in northeastern B.C. at about 1:20 p.m. Pacific time and issued a police-initiated public alert. Officers entered the school and located multiple victims. An individual believed to be the shooter was also found dead, apparently from a self-inflicted injury.
Six additional victims were found deceased inside the school. Two more victims were later located dead at a residence believed to be connected to the incident. One person who was seriously wounded died while being transported to hospital. Two others were airlifted to hospital with what police described as life-threatening injuries. About 25 other people were being assessed for non-life-threatening injuries at a local medical centre.
Officers said all remaining students and staff were safely evacuated, and the emergency alert was cancelled at 5:45 p.m. as police did not believe there were any suspects outstanding or an ongoing threat to the public.
Police are searching additional homes and properties at this hour to determine whether anyone else may be injured or otherwise connected to the events. Additional RCMP resources are being deployed to support the response and investigation.
Superintendent Ken Floyd, North District commander for B.C. RCMP, said the situation was “rapidly evolving and dynamic” and praised the cooperation of the school, first responders and the community.
“Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones and all those impacted by this tragic incident,” he said.
