Ten individuals, including the perpetrator, lost their lives following a shooting at a high school in western Canada on Tuesday, marking one of the deadliest mass casualty incidents in recent Canadian history. The incident, typically more common in the United States, was carried out by a female shooter, as per law enforcement.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police reported that six individuals were discovered deceased inside the high school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, with two more found dead at a related residence. Additionally, one person passed away en route to the hospital. Furthermore, at least two individuals sustained severe or life-threatening injuries, while around 25 others were receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities also confirmed the discovery of the suspected shooter deceased from an apparent self-inflicted injury, stating no further suspects or imminent threats to public safety were identified. British Columbia Premier David Eby expressed his shock at the proximity of the tragedy, reflecting on the surreal nature of such events happening close to home.
Limited information was provided about the shooter, with law enforcement only disclosing that the individual was identified as female, a departure from the prevalent trend of male perpetrators in mass shootings across North America. A police alert described the suspect as a female wearing a dress with brown hair, a description later confirmed by Police Superintendent Ken Floyd during a press briefing as the same individual found deceased at the school.