By Elke Porter | WBN News Vancouver | February 10, 2026
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Gunman kills nine people, including six at high school in British Columbia's coal country, before taking own life

TUMBLER RIDGE, British Columbia — A gunman (maybe even a gunwoman) opened fire at a high school in this remote mining town in northeastern British Columbia on Tuesday, killing nine people before turning the weapon on themselves, in one of the deadliest school shootings in Canadian history.

Six victims were found dead inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School after police responded to reports of an active shooter shortly after 1:20 p.m. local time. One person died while being transported to a hospital, and two others were found dead at a nearby residence in what authorities believe was connected to the school attack. The shooter was found dead inside the school from what police described as a self-inflicted injury.

Two people were airlifted to hospitals with serious or life-threatening injuries, and approximately 25 others were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the local medical center, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.

The attack has devastated this close-knit community of about 2,400 people nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, where residents know one another by name and tragedies of this magnitude seem unthinkable.

"Our hearts are in Tumbler Ridge tonight with the families of those who have lost loved ones," British Columbia Premier David Eby said in a statement. "Government will ensure every possible support for community members in the coming days, as we all try to come to terms with this unimaginable tragedy."

The shooting began during the school day at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which serves approximately 175 students in grades seven through 12. An emergency alert was broadcast to mobile phones across the region just after 2 p.m., warning residents to shelter in place and lock their doors. The alert described the suspect as a woman in a dress with brown hair.

When officers entered the school building, they found multiple victims and quickly began evacuating the remaining students and staff. All other students and staff — approximately 100 people — were safely evacuated from the building, according to Superintendent Ken Floyd of the North District RCMP.

Police officials said they believe they have identified the shooter but declined to release the person's identity or discuss possible motives. Floyd acknowledged that determining why the attack occurred may prove difficult.

"We will struggle to ever determine a motive," Floyd said during a news conference Tuesday evening.

Here are five common motivations that research and case studies have identified in school shooting incidents:

1) Revenge or Perceived Injustice

The shooter feels they've been wronged—whether through bullying, rejection, humiliation, or unfair treatment—and sees violence as a way to "even the score" or punish those they blame for their pain.

2) Chronic Bullying or Social Isolation

Persistent harassment, exclusion, or social rejection can create intense feelings of anger and desperation. The shooter may feel they have no other way to escape their situation or make others understand their suffering.

3) Desire for Notoriety or Attention

Some shooters seek fame, recognition, or to make a "statement" that will be remembered. They may be influenced by media coverage of previous incidents and want their own place in history, however dark.

4) Mental Health Crisis

Untreated or severe mental illness—including depression, psychosis, or other conditions—can distort someone's thinking and judgment. This may combine with other factors to push someone toward violence they wouldn't otherwise consider.

5) Copycat Effect or Crisis of Meaning

Exposure to previous school shootings can create a "script" that troubled individuals follow. Some shooters are influenced by manifestos or actions of previous attackers, seeing violence as a solution to feelings of hopelessness, alienation, or lack of purpose in their lives.

Important context: Most people who experience these feelings never commit violence. School shootings typically result from a combination of multiple risk factors, access to weapons, and a breakdown in intervention systems—not a single cause.

The massacre has sent shockwaves through Canada, where mass shootings are relatively rare compared to the United States. Tuesday's attack is among the deadliest school shootings in Canadian history.

Larry Neufeld, the member of the Legislative Assembly for Peace River South, said the impact on the small community would be profound.

"My thoughts are with the students, families, educators, and the entire Tumbler Ridge community," Neufeld said in a social media post. "This is a small, close-knit town, and the impact of an event like this is felt by everyone."

Neufeld urged residents to remain in their homes and allow police the time needed to complete their investigation. He said he had been in continuous contact with Tumbler Ridge's mayor and that extensive resources, including RCMP officers and ambulance services, had been dispatched to the community.

The Peace River South School District announced that both Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School would remain closed for the rest of the week. The district said additional support would be made available to students, staff and families.

"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 school district said in a notice posted to its website.

Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger said her ministry was offering the RCMP "any additional assistance they need" as the investigation continues.

Tumbler Ridge is a planned community that was built in 1981 to support the coal mining industry in northeastern British Columbia. Located about 97 kilometers north of Dawson Creek and near the Alberta border, the town sits at the confluence of the Murray River and Flatbed Creek. The area is known for its natural beauty, including numerous waterfalls and outdoor recreation opportunities.

The community has faced economic challenges in recent years as coal mines have closed, but residents have worked to diversify the local economy. The town was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark and has become known for paleontological discoveries and outdoor tourism.

Police said they were continuing to investigate whether a second suspect may have been involved, though officials initially indicated they believed the original suspect was the only person responsible. Officers were also searching other homes and properties to determine if anyone else might be injured or connected to the shooting.

Trent Ernst, a journalist with Tumbler Ridge Lines who was among the first people on the scene, described a community in shock and parents desperately searching for their children.

The Tumbler Ridge Health Centre was placed on restricted access during the police response and was not expected to return to normal operations until Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.

Floyd said local businesses were stepping up to provide support and that multiple layers of assistance were being arranged for students, teachers and community members.

"We have multiple layers of support coming for our students, for our teachers, for our community of Tumbler Ridge," Floyd said, adding that he was committed to providing more answers in the coming days.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Elke Porter at:
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WhatsApp:  +1 604 828 8788.
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