Mark Carney Vows Canada Will 'Get Through This' After Deadly Tumbler Ridge Shooting
A visibly shaken Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the nation on Wednesday, promising Canadians they would overcome the aftermath of a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The attack, which occurred on 11 February 2026, left nine victims dead and the assailant deceased, marking one of the deadliest such incidents in Canadian history.
National Mourning and Government Response
Carney, who appeared close to tears during his statement, described it as a "very difficult day for the nation." He expressed sympathy for the families in Tumbler Ridge, a small town of fewer than 2,500 residents, stating, "This morning, parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love." In response, he ordered flags on all government buildings to be flown at half-mast for seven days and cancelled plans to attend the Munich security conference in Germany.
The prime minister emphasised unity, saying, "We will get through this. We will learn from this. But right now, it's a time to come together, as Canadians always do in these situations, these terrible situations, to support each other, to mourn together and to grow together." A moment of silence was planned at Parliament in Ottawa, with Carney and other political parties participating.
Details of the Tumbler Ridge Attack
Police responded to reports of a shooting on Tuesday, finding six people dead inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Two more bodies were discovered at a residence linked to the incident, and another victim died en route to the hospital. The suspected shooter, described as a female in a dress with brown hair, was found dead at the school. At least two individuals were hospitalised with life-threatening injuries, while up to 25 others received treatment for non-life-threatening wounds.
Superintendent Ken Floyd of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police noted that the small detachment responded within two minutes, a factor that British Columbia's Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger credited with saving lives. However, Floyd admitted that determining the motive would be challenging, stating, "I think we will struggle to determine the 'why', but we will try our best to determine what transpired."
Community Impact and Support Efforts
Mayor Darryl Krakowka described Tumbler Ridge as a "big family" and expressed personal grief, saying, "I broke down. I have lived here for 18 years. I probably know every one of the victims." The district issued a statement calling the shooting "deeply distressing" and urged residents to support one another during this difficult time.
The school, which serves 160 students aged 12 to 18, will remain closed for the rest of the week, with counselling services made available. A 12-year-old girl was reported to be fighting for her life in a Vancouver hospital after being shot in the head and neck, according to a Facebook post attributed to her mother, Cia Edmonds.
Historical Context and Gun Control Measures
This incident is the second-deadliest school shooting in Canadian history, following the 1989 attack at L'Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal that killed 14 students. In 2020, after a mass shooting in Nova Scotia left 22 dead, Canada implemented stricter gun laws, including a ban on assault-style firearms and a freeze on handgun sales. Despite relatively high gun ownership rates, Canada maintains more rigorous regulations compared to the United States, where mass shootings are more frequent.
British Columbia Premier David Eby labelled the attack an "unimaginable tragedy" and urged support for the affected families, noting that the event would "reverberate for years to come." Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has been dispatched to Tumbler Ridge to assist the community in the wake of this devastating event.
