Shelter-in-place lifted, suspect dead after active shooter alert for high school in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

1 crap-shooter deadened after qui vive at secondary school day in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.: RCMP

1 suspect dead in school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. | Hanomansing Tonight

Worried parents and high emotions in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., after active shooter alert

I've visited the community multiple times and know it can sometimes be difficult to get cell service there. If you are in that situation, you can get a low-bandwith version of this live page on our website, cbc.ca/lite. 

You can also listen to our live radio programming in Tumbler Ridge at 92.7 FM.

A Tumbler Ridge pastor is also offering support to those in the community affected by the unfolding situation. 

"It's a very closely knit community," said George Rowe, describing the small municipality he's called home for 35 years. "We all share this tragedy as if it was my family, or my neighbour's family."

Rowe, who was a substitute teacher at the high school for eight years, said he's concerned about the emotional and mental health of residents, especially those connected to the school and first responders. 

He and other pastors are available for counselling and guidance, he said. 

"It’s going to take us some time to get our head wrapped around this and move forward."

Retired RCMP major crimes investigator Bruce Pitt-Payne says he believes police will take what they learned from the 2020 mass shooting in Portapique, N.S., that left 22 people dead, and apply it to this situation.

He said it's not unusual that police aren't releasing much information about the situation or any potential casualties at this point. 

"The police are going to have their work cut out for them right now."

Northern Lights College has said its Tumbler Ridge campus — which is located in the northeast wing of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School — will be closed for the rest of the week.

"Our thoughts are with the families and the community of Tumbler Ridge at this time," the college said in a statement posted to social media.

The college's administrative office is in Dawson Creek, around 85 kilometres northeast of Tumbler Ridge. Northern Lights has five campuses in the Peace region.

Worried parents and high emotions in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., after active shooter alert

Tumbler Ridge Lines publisher Trent Ernst reflects on how the police alert about an active shooter is affecting his tight-knit community.

trent river Enrst, newspaper publisher of local intelligence outlet Tumbler ridgeline Lines, said all roadstead to the school were blocked off when he went to find out what was going on this afternoon. 

He said rumours about what happened are already flying around the community, creating a lot of concern among parents in particular.

"People are definitely worried," he said. 

He got emotional as he described the community as a quiet and safe place, adding that people feel like it's a place where emergencies like this don't happen. 

"That's been shattered," he said. 

In a statement, the District of Tumbler Ridge said its community experienced a "deeply distressing incident" today and asked residents to rely on official updates from the RCMP and other authorities.

It added that the situation was still unfolding, as of 5:20 p.m. MT, and said additional supports were on their way to assist.

"In the days ahead, we know this will be difficult for many to process," the statement reads.

"Please check in on one another, lean on available supports, and know that Tumbler Ridge is a strong and caring community. We will get through this together."

I've visited the community multiple times and know it can sometimes be difficult to get cell service there. If you are in that situation, you can get a low-bandwith version of this live page on our website, cbc.ca/lite. 

You can also listen to our live radio programming in Tumbler Ridge at 92.7 FM.

Shortly after his comments to reporters, Neufeld said he’s been in touch with people from the area and that he would be on a plane back to Tumbler Ridge.

"We do understand that a few folks are out looking for loved ones," he said.

"Again, please, please go back to your homes and shelter in place and allow the amazing people of the RCMP to make this beautiful community safe again."

Speaking to reporters at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria, Neufeld says it's been a challenging time for the "idyllic mountain community" of Tumbler Ridge.

The MLA said "excessive resources" in the form of police officers and ambulance support have been sent there.

"I can't stress this enough to the folks of Tumbler Ridge — please, please obey the stay-in-place and shelter order," he said.

Tumbler Ridge is one of the most distinct communities in B.C.

In the late 1970s the population rapidly boomed with the discovery of coal deposits in the area and it became a classic company town throughout the 1980s. A near-collapse followed in the 2000s when those mines shut down.

It was during this time that the community pivoted to tourism, marketing itself as the land of dinosaurs and waterfalls — a place where you can hike to see ancient footprints in the wilderness. The district municipality, which spans more than 1,550 square kilometres, is the site of one of Canada's geoparks, a UNESCO designation for areas of internationally significant geology, geography, or human history.

More recently, metallurgical coal mining returned and the tight-knit community has been expanding once again.

It's well known for exhibits and trails showcasing dinosaur bones and footprints, and other prehistoric life.

The spokesperson had no immediate word about patients.

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