Authorities are working to identify the perpetrator who caused the school shooting in Canada. Specifically, the attack occurred in Tumbler Ridge, a remote municipality with a population of approximately 2,400 residents in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in northern British Columbia, about 1,155 km (717 miles) northeast of Vancouver. As announced by Tumbler Ridge police, “families are waiting to learn if their child is dead and due to protocol and procedure, the investigative team is being very careful in releasing names and ages of victims.” It’s noted that 6 people were found dead inside Tumbler Ridge High School, one person died en route to the hospital, and two more bodies were found in a residence, while the perpetrator allegedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot. According to authorities, several of the injured are fighting for their lives. “We believe we have managed to identify the perpetrator,” stated RCMP Inspector Ken Floyd, without providing additional information. Any potential connection between the perpetrator and the school or the residence where additional victims were found continues to be investigated.
Canada school shooting: Student testimonies reveal shocking details
“I felt like I was somewhere I had only seen on television,” high school student Darian Quest told CBC. An alarm sounded with lockdown instructions and we locked ourselves in a classroom, putting chairs and desks in front of the door, said the student who was in mechanics class during the shooting and emphasized that they spent two nightmarish hours until police intervened and led them out of the school.
Additionally, British Columbia Premier David Eby stated that police arrived at the school within two minutes of reports of gunshots. It’s too early to provide an estimate of how many victims are children, he said. Furthermore, Greek-Canadian Dimitris Vochaitis spoke to ERTnews about an “inconceivable tragedy” as Canada, with its strict gun legislation, has far fewer cases of mass violence compared to the United States.
It’s noted that according to the RCMP, the victims of the attack total ten, while the injured exceed 25. Two people were airlifted to hospital with serious or life-threatening injuries. Authorities stated they have identified the alleged perpetrator, however noted that it may never be possible to determine their motive. Meanwhile, the possibility of a second suspect is being examined, though there is no confirmed information at this time.
