A shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada, on Tuesday left nine people dead and 25 others injured.
Police discovered five people killed by a male shooter upon arriving at the scene on Tuesday afternoon. Another victim of the shooting died while being transported to the hospital. Among the survivors, two were airlifted to a nearby hospital with reportedly life-threatening injuries. Two others were found dead at a house near the school, which law enforcement officials said was connected to the shooting.
The incident left the community and country in shock. School shootings are not a frequent occurrence in Canada.
The shooter, identified by police on Wednesday as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a transgender female, died of a “self-inflicted” gunshot wound. Van Rootselaar had a history of mental health problems that was known to police, according to law enforcement.
The city of Tumbler Ridge is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, 600 miles north of Vancouver, in northeastern British Columbia. The city has a population of approximately 2400 people, according to the most recent census, while the Associated Press reported 2700 people lived in the small town. Tumbler Ridge Secondary School reportedly has 175 students enrolled between 7th and 12th grades.
Police are still trying to find a motive for the crime and how the victims might have been connected to the shooter.
Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka called the incident “devastating” and said the whole community is shocked and grieving, according to the Associated Press.
“I broke down,” Krakowka said. “I have lived here for 18 years. “I probably know every one of the victims.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the shooting “horrific” and offered his condolences to the victims’ families.
“I am devastated by today’s horrific shootings in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.,” Carney said in a post on X. “My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence.”
“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,” Carney said.
“The Government of Canada stands with all British Columbians as they confront this horrible tragedy,” he added.
The school posted a message on its website notifying students and faculty that it would be closed for the remainder of the week.
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“Due to the tragic events that unfolded in the community of Tumbler Ridge today, Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School will be closed for the rest of the week,” the message said.
“The district will make supports available and once we have the locations for where the supports will be we will put that information on social media,” it continued.
