VANCOUVER, Canada (AP) — A shooting at a British Columbia school left eight people dead, including the suspect, and two others were found dead at a home believed to be connected to the incident, Canadian authorities said Tuesday.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police say a shooting at Tumbler Ridge High School left more than 25 people injured, including two with life-threatening injuries.
School shootings are rare in Canada.
The town of Tumbler Ridge has a population of about 2,400 people and is located more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) north of Vancouver, near the Alberta border. The provincial government website lists Tumbler Ridge Secondary School as having 175 students in grades 7 to 12.
RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd told reporters that investigators had identified the shooter but would not release his name, but the suspect’s motive remained unclear.
“We cannot understand the cause or cause of this tragedy,” Floyd said.
He added that police were still investigating the relationship between the victim and the gunman.
“As part of the initial response to the shooting, officers entered the school in search of a threat. During the search, officers located multiple victims. An individual believed to be the shooter was also found deceased with suspected self-inflicted wounds,” the RCMP said in a statement.
“In addition to the suspect, six people died at the school. Two victims were airlifted to the hospital with serious or life-threatening injuries. The third victim died while being transported to the hospital.”
The Peace River South School District said earlier Tuesday that the middle school and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School were both on “lockdown, safety and containment.”
Peace River South legislative member Larry Neufeld told reporters at the Legislature that “surplus” resources, including RCMP and ambulance support, have been sent to the community.
He said he did not want to reveal more information for fear it could compromise the safety of ongoing operations.
“Tonight, our hearts are with the families who have lost their loved ones in Tableau Ridge. The government will ensure every possible support is available to community members in the coming days as we all grapple with this unimaginable tragedy,” British Columbia Premier David Iby said in a statement.
___
Gillis reported from Toronto.
