At least nine people have lost their lives, and many more have been injured in shootings at a high school and a nearby house in northeastern British Columbia. Canadian police shared this heartbreaking news on Tuesday and confirmed that the suspected shooter has also died.

The situation escalated when authorities received reports of an incident at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School around 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time. When they arrived, they discovered six individuals had died on the school grounds, and a seventh person succumbed to their injuries while being taken to the hospital.

As police continued their investigation, they found two more deceased individuals at a nearby home, deepening the community’s grief over this tragedy. While details about the victims’ injuries remain unclear, the impact of this violence is being felt strongly throughout the area.

After the incident, two more victims from the school shooting were airlifted to local hospitals for serious or life-threatening injuries. The community is reeling from this pain and fear.

Tragically, authorities found the suspected shooter inside the school with what they described as a self-inflicted injury.

In addition to the fatalities, around 25 other people were evaluated at a local medical facility for injuries that, while not life-threatening, still required care. This is an incredibly dark time for the community, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this senseless act of violence.

RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd has confirmed that a female suspect has been identified in the shooting that took place in Tumbler Ridge, although her name hasn’t been released yet. The reason for the shooting is still unclear, and investigators are looking into any connections between the shooter and the victims.

Residents of Tumbler Ridge, a small community of about 2,400 people, were previously asked to stay indoors as more police arrived on the scene. A community alert was lifted at 5:45 p.m., and authorities believe there are no additional suspects still at large.

As a result of the killing, the Peace River South School District has implemented a “lockdown and secure and hold” policy at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary. This means that both schools will remain closed for the entire week. Tumbler Ridge Secondary usually has about 175 students in Grades 7 through 12.

Local legislator Larry Neufeld mentioned that many resources have been sent to the area, but he did not share specific details for safety reasons.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has canceled his planned trips to Halifax and Munich. In his statement, he expressed deep sadness over the shootings and offered his sympathies to the families of the victims.

David Eby, the Premier of British Columbia, shared a heartfelt message on social media: “This evening, our thoughts are with Tumbler Ridge as we stand in solidarity with the families grieving their loved ones. The government is dedicated to offering all the necessary support to community members in the coming days, as we all work together to come to terms with this unimaginable tragedy.”