Active Shooter Incident at Canadian High School Leaves at Least One Suspect Dead, Police Confirm

Canadian authorities confirmed an active shooter incident at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia on Tuesday, with at least one suspect found dead as the investigation continues to unfold.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Tumbler Ridge told reporters that the “original suspect” is believed to be deceased, though investigators are working to determine if a second suspect was involved in the attack. Police have not yet confirmed the number of victims or injured individuals requiring medical assistance.

“We have no confirmation at this time on the number of individuals injured or requiring assistance,” Tumbler Ridge RCMP stated in their official release.

Law enforcement officials remain on scene and have issued a localized emergency alert for the area. Residents of Tumbler Ridge have been instructed to shelter in place, lock their doors, and avoid leaving their homes or businesses until further notice.

The RCMP has mobilized additional police resources from neighboring detachments to assist with the response, including deployment of the North District Emergency Response Team—a specialized tactical unit typically called in for high-risk situations.

The Peace River South School District acknowledged the emergency in a statement on its website, confirming both Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and nearby Tumbler Ridge Elementary School were placed under lockdown protocols. School officials urged patience as they coordinate with law enforcement during the ongoing situation.

School shootings, while historically less common in Canada than in the United States, represent a growing concern for educational institutions across North America. The incident comes amid heightened awareness of school security protocols and emergency response planning throughout the region.

Larry Neufeld, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Peace River South, released a statement indicating he was en route to the scene and had been in direct communication with the Solicitor General to ensure provincial resources were being made available to support local responders.

“Public safety is the absolute priority,” Neufeld stated. “I urge everyone in the area to follow RCMP instructions, remain sheltered, and rely only on official updates.”

Tumbler Ridge, a small community of approximately 2,000 residents in northeastern British Columbia, is located near the Alberta border about 120 kilometers south of Dawson Creek. The town, originally built as a mining community in the 1980s, has since diversified its economy to include tourism and energy production.

The incident has prompted renewed discussions about school safety measures across Canada, where gun violence in educational settings remains relatively rare compared to neighboring countries. Canadian gun laws are generally more restrictive than those in the United States, requiring licensing, registration, and safety courses for legal firearm ownership.

As emergency services continue their work at the scene, community support resources are being mobilized to assist students, staff, and families affected by the traumatic event. Mental health counselors are expected to be made available once the immediate security situation is resolved.

The investigation remains active, with authorities expected to provide additional details as they become available. Police have not yet released information about possible motives or the identity of the deceased suspect.

Provincial and federal officials are monitoring the situation closely, and additional law enforcement resources remain on standby should they be needed in the community.