Tumbler Ridge shooting: what happened in the B.C. school attack and what’s known now

A mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia left 10 people dead, including the suspect, and 27 injured on Tuesday, Feb. 10, triggering lockdowns, an emergency shelter-in-place alert, and a sweeping investigation in one of Canada’s most devastating school attacks in decades. The violence also extended beyond the campus, with two additional victims found at a nearby residence that investigators believe is connected to the school shooting.

Authorities said there is no ongoing threat to the public, but key details—including motive and a confirmed suspect identity—remain unclear as investigators process evidence and notify families.

Timeline: active shooter call, alert, and cancellation

Police received the first report of an active shooter at approximately 3:20 p.m. ET (1:20 p.m. local time) on Feb. 10. An emergency alert instructing residents to shelter in place was issued around 4:15 p.m. ET (2:15 p.m. local time), and was later canceled at about 7:45 p.m. ET (5:45 p.m. local time) after officers said the immediate danger had passed.

Officials described a rapid response, including a lockdown at the secondary school and coordinated medical transport for the wounded. Two people with the most severe injuries were airlifted out for higher-level care.

Victims and injuries: school and residence

Investigators said six victims were found dead inside the school. A seventh victim died while being transported to the hospital. Two more victims were discovered at a residence in the same community, and those deaths are being treated as part of the same overall incident. The suspect was found dead at the school with what officials described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In addition to the fatalities, 27 people were treated for injuries, with two in critical condition early in the response. Authorities have not publicly released victim identities as next-of-kin notifications continue.

Who is the suspect? The “Jesse Strang” name and what’s confirmed

Police have described the suspect as female and said they believe they have identified the shooter, but have not publicly confirmed a name. The name “Jesse Strang” has circulated widely online and in some international coverage, but it has not been confirmed by authorities in official briefings.

With an investigation at this stage, officials typically focus on forensic work—ballistics, scene reconstruction, digital evidence, and interviews—before releasing personal details. Until authorities confirm an identity, any circulating name should be treated as unverified.

The community: Tumbler Ridge, the school, and immediate closures

Tumbler Ridge is a small, remote community in northeastern British Columbia with a population of roughly 2,400 to 2,700. The secondary school serves about 175 students in Grades 7 through 12, making the impact intensely personal in a town where many residents know one another.

School officials announced closures for the remainder of the week, and counseling supports were mobilized for students, staff, and families. Local leaders described the days ahead as focused on grief support, stabilization, and helping families connect with services.

What investigators are working on next

Authorities have not publicly described a motive, and they have not detailed how the school shooting and the residence deaths are connected. The investigative priorities typically include:

• confirming the suspect’s path into and through the school,

• determining how the firearm or firearms were obtained,

• establishing whether the suspect had a direct connection to victims or the school,

• and clarifying the sequence between the residence deaths and the school attack.

Officials have said tips, witness statements, and any available video—school cameras, nearby private cameras, and mobile footage—will be important as they build a complete timeline.

National response and policy backdrop

Canada has experienced mass shootings, but school attacks of this scale are rare. The event is already renewing attention on questions around firearm access, rural gun ownership, and how communities can improve prevention and rapid response. Federal and provincial leaders have offered condolences and pledged support for the community, while emphasizing the immediate focus on victims, survivors, and investigators’ work.

In the short term, the next major updates are expected to center on confirmed victim identities, the suspect’s identity and background (once officially released), and any preliminary findings on motive.

Sources consulted: Associated Press, TIME, Al Jazeera, The Guardian