A wave of terror descended upon the small British Columbia town of Tumbler Ridge on Tuesday, leaving at least nine people dead and a community shattered. The unfolding tragedy began with an active shooter incident at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, quickly escalating into a scene of unimaginable loss and fear.
Initial reports confirmed six victims were discovered inside the school itself, their lives tragically cut short. As emergency services responded, another individual succumbed to their injuries while being rushed to a local hospital. The weight of the day grew heavier with each passing moment.
Two more victims were found deceased at a separate residence, revealing a wider scope to the horrific event. Authorities identified the suspect as a woman, described in an emergency alert as having brown hair and wearing a dress, but she was later found deceased as well.
The first alert, issued around 1:20 p.m., urged residents to avoid the area and heed police instructions. For hours, the town held its breath, gripped by uncertainty as law enforcement secured the scene and began the painstaking process of assessing the damage.
Beyond the fatalities, the toll was staggering. Two individuals suffered serious, life-threatening injuries, while approximately twenty-five others were treated at a local medical centre for less severe wounds. The community’s resources were stretched to their absolute limit.
As evening approached, the shelter-in-place order was finally lifted, allowing a cautious return to normalcy. Parents received confirmation that students at Tumbler Ridge Elementary School, and subsequently those at the secondary school, were being released. But the relief was tempered by profound grief.
Trent Ernst, a local news publisher, described the scene as roads leading to the school were blocked, a stark visual representation of the unfolding crisis. He spoke of a community accustomed to peace and safety, a place where such events were considered unthinkable.
“People are definitely worried,” Ernst shared, his voice thick with emotion. “That’s been shattered.” The sense of security, once a defining characteristic of Tumbler Ridge, had been irrevocably broken.
Local MLA Larry Neufeld immediately began traveling from Victoria to offer support, emphasizing his commitment to securing provincial resources for the overwhelmed local authorities and emergency responders. His statement reflected the collective shock and determination to help.
Tumbler Ridge, a small district municipality of roughly 2,400 residents nestled in the Peace River region, now faces the daunting task of healing and rebuilding. The quiet town is left grappling with a tragedy that has forever altered its identity.
