A shooting incident at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada, has resulted in at least 10 deaths, including the suspect, and over two dozen injuries, according to reports on Wednesday.
The attack, one of the deadliest in the region's recent history, occurred at the school on Tuesday. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), six individuals were confirmed dead at the scene, while another person succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital. Two more bodies were found at a residence believed to be connected to the incident.
Police said 25 people were injured, with two of them reported to be in serious condition.
"As part of the initial response to the active shooting, police entered the school to locate the threat. During the search, officers located multiple victims. An individual believed to be the shooter was also found deceased with what appears to be a self-inflicted injury," the RCMP stated.
"Six additional individuals, not including the suspect, have been located deceased inside the school. Two victims have been airlifted to hospital with serious or life-threatening injuries. A third victim died while being transported to hospital," the statement added.
RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd confirmed that the shooter had been identified, though authorities have not yet released the name. "We are not yet in a position to understand why or what may have motivated this tragedy," Floyd said in a press briefing.
School shootings are rare in Canada. According to the provincial government website lists Tumbler Ridge Secondary School as having 175 students from Grades 7 to 12. The school was closed for the rest of the week and counseling will be made available to those in need, officials said.
"It's hard to know what to say on a night like tonight. It's the kind of thing that feels like it happens in other places and not close to home," British Columbia Premier David Eby told reporters.
