When did the attack start?
Canadian police report that nine individuals have died in a mass shooting at a school and a residence in the remote rural community of Tumbler Ridge, located in western British Columbia.
In addition to the fatalities, 25 people sustained injuries, and the suspect's body was discovered at the scene.
This incident ranks among the deadliest gun attacks in Canadian history.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) stated they received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at 13:20 local time on Tuesday (20:20 GMT).
Police promptly dispatched officers to the location and issued an active shooter alert for the rural community and its surrounding area.
Local residents were instructed to "Shelter in place, lock your doors and refrain from leaving your home or business at this time."
A "hold and secure" lockdown was implemented at both Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and the nearby Tumbler Ridge Elementary School.
British Columbia's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Nina Krieger, noted that police officers arrived at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School "within two minutes" of receiving the active shooter call.
She emphasized that such a rapid response "no doubt" saved lives.
Tumbler Ridge has a population of approximately 2,400 residents, and its secondary school enrolls 160 students across Grades 7-12.
What we know about the victims
The RCMP provided an update indicating that "six additional individuals, not including the suspect, have been located deceased inside the school."
They further reported that "two victims have been airlifted to hospital with serious or life‑threatening injuries. A third victim died while being transported to hospital."
"Approximately 25 others are being assessed and triaged at the local medical centre for non‑life‑threatening injuries," the statement added.
Additionally, two victims were discovered in a nearby residence.
"As part of the ongoing investigation, police have identified a secondary location believed to be connected to the incident, where two additional victims were located deceased in a residence," the RCMP said.
Police continue to search for more potential victims: "Officers are conducting further searches of additional homes and properties to determine whether anyone else may be injured or otherwise linked to today's events."
The names and ages of the victims have not been released at this time.
What is known about the suspected attacker
Canadian authorities have confirmed they know the identity of the suspect but have not disclosed further details.
The suspect was found deceased inside the school with a self-inflicted injury following the shootings.
At a news conference, RCMP North District Commander Chief Superintendent Ken Floyd confirmed the suspect matched the description provided in an earlier alert sent to local residents.
The alert described a "female in a dress with brown hair," though the suspect's name and gender have not been publicly released.
Police are investigating the attacker’s possible motives and any connections the suspect may have had with the school.
'We got tables and barricaded the door' - a survivor's account
Darian Quist, a Grade 12 student at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, and his mother Shelley Quist spoke with CBC Radio West host Sarah Penton about the events.
Darian said that shortly after arriving at his class at 13:30 local time, an alarm sounded in the hallways instructing everyone to close the doors due to a lockdown.
He explained that the doors remained closed for some time, during which he and his classmates realized something was wrong.
He was receiving photos on his phone from the scene.
"We got tables and barricaded the doors"
for over two hours, Darian said, until police arrived to escort them out of the school.
Once outside, he reunited with his mother at a nearby community centre.
Shelley Quist recounted that she heard police "kicking" her son's classroom door down and several students being escorted out.
"That's when I left home. We live very close; a block away from the community centre. I literally almost ran over there,"
she told CBC.
How Canada reacted to the attack
Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka told CBC that the community is small and close-knit, and he expected to know all the victims personally.
"I will know every victim. I've been here 19 years, and we're a small community,"
he said after leaving the town hall once the shelter-in-place order was lifted.
"I don't call them residents. I call them family."
Tumbler Ridge town councillor Chris Norbury told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the entire community was in shock following the shootings.
"We don't lock our doors here. It is an incredibly safe community... we don't have to worry about crime here,"
he said live from the scene.
"This is a big tragedy here,"
he added.
The councillor described visiting the secondary school and observing emergency services blocking the entrance.
"We have three police vehicles in our town, we are very small. We are a small community. We know each other, we all know the victims. They are our friends, our friends' children."
British Columbia Premier David Eby characterized the shootings as "a devastating and unimaginable tragedy."
"We can't imagine what the community is going through. But I know it's causing us to all hug our kids a little bit tighter tonight,"
he said.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has suspended his planned trip to Germany in response to the incident.
Where is Tumbler Ridge?
The rural community is situated approximately 670 km (415 miles) northeast of Vancouver.
It is primarily known for its coal mining industry and the discovery of dinosaur fossils, with Tumbler Ridge promoting itself as the land of dinosaurs and waterfalls to attract tourists.
If it is safe to do so, you can also get in touch by following this link.
