Premier thanks emergency responders, pledges to look at ‘opportunities to learn’ about school safety after mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge

Update, February 11th, 6:30 p.m.: RCMP revised the death toll to nine after one person did not succumb to their injuries as was believed. 

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — Premier David Eby has pledged to consider “what opportunities there are to learn” from the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge today as he thanked police officers on the scene in just two minutes.

The premier was joined by Nina Krieger, B.C. minister of public safety and solicitor general, for a press conference following the incident in Tumbler Ridge this afternoon (February 10th). 

Ten people are dead after the incident, which saw the community locked down for hours in the afternoon. 

In response to a question from reporters about safety in Canadian schools, he said: “I can say for myself, and I’m sure for many British Columbians, many Canadians, it makes us think about our kids safety when they’re going to school. We take it for granted.

“You go to school, you come home safe. And events like this give us pause about that safety that many Canadians have the privilege to enjoy across this country. 

“In the days and weeks to come, we’ll look at this incident and try to understand what opportunities there are to learn from an unspeakable tragedy like this. But for tonight, it’s about making sure that those families are receiving all the support that they can.”

Krieger told reporters support will be available in Tumbler Ridge overnight and going forward, including trauma-informed counsellors sent to the region and psychiatric liaison nurses already in the community. 

“So already tonight, there is help available now, with more to come,” she said.

Eby also thanked frontline police officers who responded to the “devastating and unimaginable tragedy” in Tumbler Ridge today within two minutes.

He said he spoke to Prime Minister Mark Carney on the phone this evening, who also released a written statement. 

It reads: “I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today, and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens.

“Our ability to come together in crisis is the best of our country – our empathy, our unity and our compassion for each other.”

RCMP officers were called at after 1 p.m. to find six dead at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

A seventh person who is believed to be the shooter – a female in a dress with brown hair – was also found deceased with “what appears to be a self‑inflicted injury,” according to an RCMP press release issued around 7 p.m. after the lockdown had been lifted. 

Three people were airlifted to hospital with serious or life‑threatening injuries, with one of whom – the eighth victim – dying en route.

Two more people were then found fatally injured at a “secondary” residence “believed to be connected to the incident.”

Police say approximately 25 others are being assessed and triaged at the local medical centre for non‑life‑threatening injuries.

Mayor of Fort St. John, Lilia Hansen, also released a statement: “Our hearts are with every family, friend, first responder and resident who has been touched by this unimaginable loss.

“Moments like this shake communities to their core and we stand with you in sorrow, in solidarity and in compassion.

“We are holding the people of Tumbler Ridge close in our thoughts tonight.”

She said “your neighbours across the Peace Region” are also grieving and are ready to offer support.

Manda Maggs, Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark executive director, told Energeticcity.ca during the lockdown that staff at the Tumbler Ridge Visitor Centre – which is run by the geopark on behalf of the District of Tumbler Ridge – saw people being moved from the school to the community centre.

“We know so many of the people that work at the high school and attend the high school, it feels very personal,” she said.

Larry Neufeld, Peace River South MLA, issued a written statement: “I am leaving Victoria immediately to return to my riding to be on the ground and available to support the community in any way needed. I will continue to stay closely engaged as this situation evolves.”

Tumbler Ridge is a small community of just under 2,400 people, according to the 2021 census.