Canadian authorities are continuing to investigate a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia that left 10 people dead and at least 35 others injured, making it one of the most devastating school attacks in Canada in decades.
The shooting unfolded Tuesday afternoon in the small northeastern B.C. community of Tumbler Ridge. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said they received reports of an active shooter at the school at approximately 1:20 p.m. local time. As officers responded, a large-scale public alert was issued warning residents across the region — including nearby Chetwynd and Dawson Creek — to stay indoors and shelter in place.
Media reports indicated the alert was issued around 3:15 p.m. Mountain Time and remained active for several hours before being lifted later that evening once police determined there was no longer an ongoing threat. Officials said the alert was canceled after investigators concluded there were no additional suspects.
Police later confirmed that 10 people were found dead, including the shooter, who was discovered with what authorities described as a likely self-inflicted injury. Six victims were located inside the school building, while another person died while being transported to the hospital. Two additional victims were found dead at a residence in the community that investigators believe is connected to the incident.
While authorities initially stated only that the suspect was female, media reports have since identified the alleged shooter as 17-year-old Jesse Strang. A close family member reportedly confirmed Strang’s identity and said the teenager was transgender and used she/her pronouns. Police have not officially confirmed the suspect’s name, and a motive has not been publicly established.
According to information circulating online, Strang reportedly began identifying as a woman around 2023 and came from a family with a hunting background. Reports claim the suspect had access to multiple firearms and had learned to shoot rifles at a young age. Investigators have not confirmed the origin of the weapons used in the attack.
Additional details cited in media coverage describe social media accounts allegedly linked to the suspect, including posts showing firearms and shooting range activity. A Facebook post attributed to the suspect’s mother reportedly suggested Strang had struggled with behavioral problems and violent tendencies from childhood.
At a news conference, RCMP North District Commander Chief Superintendent Ken Floyd described the incident as a rapidly unfolding crisis, crediting cooperation between school staff, first responders, and the community for helping manage the situation. He expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured, calling the day deeply traumatic for the region.
Students who survived the attack described chaotic scenes as the school went into lockdown. One student said classmates barricaded classroom doors with tables and remained trapped inside for more than two hours before police escorted them out.
British Columbia Premier David Eby also issued a statement of support, saying the province’s thoughts were with the people of Tumbler Ridge and promising government assistance in the days ahead.
The investigation remains active as officials work to identify victims, determine the shooter’s connections to those killed, and piece together the events leading up to one of Canada’s deadliest school shootings in recent history.
