A devastating mass shooting unfolded on February 10, 2026, in the small rural community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, leaving nine people dead and at least 25 others injured. The incident, which targeted Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a connected residential property, ranks among the deadliest mass casualty events in recent Canadian history and the most severe school-related shooting in the country in decades.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) responded to reports of an active shooter at the secondary school around 1:20 p.m. local time (Mountain Standard Time). An emergency public alert was issued shortly after, describing the suspect as a female wearing a dress with brown hair, and urging residents to shelter in place. Multiple schools in the surrounding area were placed on lockdown as authorities worked to secure the scene.
Upon arrival at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, officers discovered six individuals who had been fatally shot inside the building. A seventh victim, who had sustained gunshot wounds, was transported to a hospital but succumbed to injuries en route. In a separate but believed connected location, police located two additional deceased individuals at a local residence. The suspected perpetrator was found deceased inside the school, with authorities stating the death resulted from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This brings the total fatalities to ten, including the suspect, though initial reports from multiple sources cited at least nine victims excluding the shooter.
The town of Tumbler Ridge, nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in northeastern British Columbia, has a population of approximately 2,400 residents. Located more than 1,150 kilometers (about 715 miles) northeast of Vancouver and near the Alberta border, the community is remote and known for its scenic mountain valley setting. The secondary school serves a modest student body, with some local accounts noting around 165 students enrolled, making the scale of the tragedy particularly shocking in such a tight-knit area.
Survivors and witnesses described harrowing scenes during the incident. One Grade 12 student recounted to media outlets how he and classmates barricaded themselves in a classroom for over two hours amid the chaos, stating it felt like something "only seen on TV." Emergency medical response included airlifting at least two critically injured individuals to hospitals outside the immediate region, with support from services such as the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service operating out of nearby Grande Prairie, Alberta. More than 25 people required treatment for injuries, including two reported to be in life-threatening condition.
In the aftermath, Canadian officials expressed profound grief and condemnation. British Columbia Premier David Eby described the event as an "unimaginable tragedy" in public statements, while Prime Minister Mark Carney conveyed that he was "devastated" by the attack, adding that he joined in grieving with those whose lives had been "changed irreversibly." The Prime Minister emphasized national solidarity during the crisis.
Police Superintendent Ken Floyd, North District commander for the BC RCMP, provided key details during a press conference, confirming the suspect's identity as female but withholding the name pending further investigation and family notifications. Authorities emphasized that the residence where the two additional bodies were found is linked to the school incident, though specifics about the connection—whether familial, personal, or otherwise—remain under active investigation. No motive has been publicly disclosed, and inquiries into the events continue.
Mass shootings remain exceptionally rare in Canada compared to neighboring countries, owing in part to stricter firearms regulations. This incident marks the third-deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history, according to preliminary assessments, and the deadliest in British Columbia province. It follows other recent mass casualty events in the region, underscoring concerns about public safety even in remote communities.
Community response has been swift, with counseling services mobilized for affected students, staff, and families. Local leaders and emergency responders have coordinated support efforts, while national media coverage has highlighted the vulnerability of small towns to such violence. Residents have described the town as peaceful and close-knit prior to the tragedy, amplifying the sense of disbelief and loss.
As investigations progress, the RCMP has urged the public to avoid speculation and to report any relevant information to authorities. The emergency alert was lifted by late afternoon on February 10, allowing restricted access to resume, though the school and affected areas remain secured for forensic examination.
This event has prompted renewed national conversations about mental health, gun access, school safety protocols, and support for rural communities. Officials have pledged a thorough review to determine contributing factors and preventive measures. In the meantime, Tumbler Ridge mourns its dead and supports the injured, as the nation grapples with the reality of such violence reaching even its most isolated corners.
The full scope of the tragedy continues to emerge, with victim identities being withheld out of respect for grieving families. As more details are released through official channels, the focus remains on healing, accountability, and ensuring such an atrocity is never repeated.
