Canadian School Shooting Leaves 10 Dead, Student Recalls Barricading in Classroom
A student has recounted the harrowing experience of barricading himself inside a classroom during a deadly shooting at a secondary school in Canada, which resulted in ten fatalities and numerous injuries. The incident occurred at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in a remote Canadian town, prompting a full lockdown and a massive emergency response.
Student's Terrifying Ordeal During Lockdown
Darian Quist, a Grade 12 student at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, described arriving at his classroom around 1:30 PM local time when an alarm sounded through the hallways. The alarm instructed students to close classroom doors as the school was immediately placed into lockdown. Darian and his classmates initially followed the protocol, but soon realised the situation was far more serious than a routine drill.
"We got tables and barricaded the doors," Darian told CBC Radio West, explaining that they remained barricaded for over two hours while receiving distressing photos on their phones from the unfolding scene. Police eventually arrived to escort the students safely out of the building, where Darian was reunited with his mother, Shelley, at a local community centre.
Mother's Frantic Response and Police Action
Shelley was at work when a colleague alerted her to the events at the high school. From her office window, she witnessed "RCMP everywhere, fire, ambulances" and had to be restrained by colleagues from rushing to the school herself. She noted seeing an RCMP officer crouched in the parking lot with his gun drawn, heightening the sense of danger.
Upon calling Darian, Shelley could hear police "kicking" down her son's classroom door, prompting her to leave immediately. "I literally almost ran over there," she said, adding that she lived very close to the community centre. Shelley emphasised that she did not feel assured of her son's safety until she physically saw him, underscoring the emotional turmoil faced by families.
Details of the Fatal Incident and Investigation
Authorities confirmed that at least ten people lost their lives in the shooting, with 25 others injured. Six victims were found dead inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, while a seventh died en route to the hospital. The suspect's body was also discovered at the school with a self-inflicted injury, and two additional fatalities were located at a nearby home, which police believe is connected to the shootings, though they have not definitively confirmed this link.
Police have identified the attacker but have withheld the identity to protect privacy and the integrity of the ongoing investigation. A shelter-in-place alert described the suspect as a "female in a dress with brown hair," adding to the community's shock and confusion.
School Closures and Community Support
School District 59, which oversees Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, announced that both the secondary and elementary schools will remain closed for the rest of the week. "Due to the tragic events that unfolded in the community of Tumbler Ridge today," a statement read, the district is making support services available and will share locations for these resources via social media once determined.
Political Response and Condolences
Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, expressed his devastation in a post on X, offering condolences to the affected families and praising the courage of first responders. "My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence," he wrote, highlighting the nation's unity and compassion in times of crisis.
Carney confirmed that he has connected with Premier Eby and Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, to coordinate the federal response, ensuring the community receives full support. "The Government of Canada stands with all British Columbians as they confront this horrible tragedy," he affirmed, reinforcing a commitment to aiding those impacted by the violence.
