Active shooter in Tumbler Ridge found dead, B.C. community remains on high alert
· Toronto Sun
One suspect has been found dead following an active shooter situation in Tumbler Ridge on Tuesday afternoon.
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It is not known whether there is a second suspect or how many victims are involved.
An emergency text alert was issued Tuesday afternoon around 1:20 p.m. after RCMP confirmed there was an “active shooter incident” at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
In the alert, Tumbler Ridge RCMP asked the public to “stay inside and shelter in place, lock your doors and refrain from leaving your home or business.”
All others were being asked to avoid the area of Tumbler Ridge and follow police directions.
The alert also described a suspect as a woman in a dress with brown hair.
Peace River South MLA Larry Neufeld said he is on his way from Victoria to his riding “to be on the ground and available to support the community in any way needed.”
“I am aware of the active shooter situation currently unfolding in Tumbler Ridge, and my thoughts are with residents as this situation continues to develop,” said Neufeld in a statement.
“I have been in direct contact with the solicitor general to receive updates and to ensure all necessary provincial resources are being made available to support local law enforcement and emergency responders.”
A message posted to the website for of the Peace River South school district said a lockdown and secure and hold was in place at Tumbler Ridge Secondary and Tumbler Ridge Elementary.
“The district is aware of a lockdown and secure and hold at Tumbler Ridge Secondary and Tumbler Ridge Elementary schools,” said the update at 2:50 p.m. “We are asking people to have patience as we work with the RCMP.”
Just after 3 p.m., Tumbler Ridge RCMP issued an update confirming “the original suspect is believed to have been located deceased.”
“Work continues to determine whether a second suspect was involved and the total number of victims involved,” read the statement.
An individual who picked up the phone at a retail shop in downtown Tumbler Ridge declined to comment when asked about the emergency situation on Tuesday. “I’m not talking to news outlets right now,” the staffer told Postmedia.
Another individual at a nearby restaurant said there were no customers present when the alert went out but that staff had been sheltering indoors all afternoon. Staff at the District of Tumbler Ridge offices also confirmed everyone there was sheltering in place.
Tumbler Ridge is a district municipality in the Peace River region in the B.C. northeast. The main townsite has about 2,400 residents as of the 2021 census.
More to come.