A Canada mass shooting at a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, has left 10 people dead, including the suspected shooter, police have confirmed.
The incident happened on Tuesday (local time) and has shocked the small Canadian community, as investigators warn the public not to speculate while they work to confirm key details.
Police said the shooting took place at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a nearby residence, with emergency crews rushing to the area after reports of an active shooter.
What happened in the Canada mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge?
Canadian police said the attack unfolded at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, followed by further developments at a nearby home believed to be linked to the incident.
Authorities confirmed:
- Nine victims died at the scene or shortly after
- The suspected shooter was also found dead
- Six people were found dead inside the school
- One victim died while being transported to the hospital
- Two others were found dead at a residence connected to the case
Police also confirmed that two people were airlifted to the hospital with serious or life-threatening injuries.
Around 25 additional people were assessed at the local health centre for injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
Who is investigating the school shooting in British Columbia?
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is leading the investigation, supported by additional officers and major crime investigators brought into the area.
🚨 BREAKING: 10 people are dead, 25 injured after a “woman wearing a dress” opened fire on a school in British Columbia, Canada
Local police are referring to the shooter as a “gunperson.”
Yeah, we all know this is yet another trans mass shooter. pic.twitter.com/McA9C0nmcc
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 11, 2026
At a police briefing, officers confirmed they had issued an active-shooter alert earlier in the day, warning residents to stay indoors and avoid the area while emergency teams responded.
Police later said they believe there is no ongoing risk to the public.
What do police know about the suspect?
Police confirmed that the person found dead inside the school matches the description from the earlier emergency alert.
In that alert, officers described the suspect as:
- A woman
- Wearing a dress
- With brown hair
Authorities said the suspect appeared to have died from a self-inflicted injury, but they have not yet released further details.
Why are police refusing to confirm the victims’ ages?
One of the biggest unanswered questions is how many of the victims were children.
Police have refused to confirm the victims’ ages and have asked the public not to speculate. Investigators said it would be “unwise” to guess at this stage and stressed that they are still confirming identities and notifying families.
They also refused to confirm whether the suspect was a minor or an adult, citing privacy rules and the sensitivity of the investigation.
How many students and staff were evacuated?
Police said around 100 students and staff were safely evacuated during the emergency response.
Officers praised the speed of the evacuation and said the cooperation between the school, emergency responders, and the wider community played a major role in preventing further loss of life.
What support is being offered to the community?
Tumbler Ridge is described as a small, close-knit town, meaning the impact of the shooting has spread quickly across the community.
Local leaders and public representatives have urged residents to seek help if they are struggling emotionally. Faith leaders and support workers have also begun stepping in to offer counselling and guidance.
Counselling services are expected to be expanded in the coming days as families and students process what happened.
What could investigators focus on next?
Police said they are working to determine:
- The suspect’s background
- Any link between the suspect and the victims
- Whether the suspect had any known history with the school
- What led to the attack
Investigators also said they may struggle to fully explain the motive, but will aim to build a full timeline of events. Additional searches of homes and properties are continuing as part of the case.
How does this compare to past Canadian mass shootings?
Canada has experienced mass shootings before, but incidents of this scale involving a school are less common than in some other countries.
Investigators are expected to apply lessons learned from previous Canadian mass violence incidents, including improvements in emergency communication systems and police coordination.
