Police at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in B.C. on Wednesday.Jesse Boily/The Canadian Press
Expressions of shock and sympathy poured in from around the world as news spread of the mass shooting in tiny Tumbler Ridge, B.C., with statements issued by global leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Canada’s head of state, King Charles III, expressed shock and sadness at the mass shooting.
In a statement on social media, the King said he and Queen Camilla offered “our deepest possible sympathy” to the families of the victims, thanked police and health care workers in the town, and noted that the grieving B.C. community was small and close-knit.
“In such a closely connected town, every child’s name will be known and every family will be a neighbour,” the statement reads. “We can only begin to imagine the appalling shadow that has now descended across Tumbler Ridge and our hearts go out to all those whose lives have been shattered by this senseless act of brutal violence.”
Six people were killed in the shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday afternoon and at least another 25 were injured. Two other individuals found in a residence connected to the incident are also dead, and the suspected shooter died of an injury that was apparently self-inflicted, RCMP said. The RCMP had initially said there was a total of 10 dead but revised that total to nine at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr. Zelensky, with his own country mired in a grinding war against Russia’s invasion, said he was shocked by the B.C. shooting and expressed condolences to victims’ families and to Prime Minister Mark Carney.
“When children are killed, no one should remain indifferent. Such tragedies should never happen anywhere, in any country in the world,” Mr. Zelensky said in a statement on social media.
The French President called the shooting a “horror” and said his country stands alongside the Canadian people. “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, the injured, and the entire educational community,” Mr. Macron said.
The Tumbler Ridge Health Centre. Seven people were killed in the shooting and at least another 25 were injured.Jesse Boily/The Canadian Press
U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, offered prayers.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the community of Tumbler Ridge and all of British Columbia today,” he said in a statement. “My personal prayer is that in these difficult times, they find the peace and comfort that only He can provide.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was shocked by the shooting.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Mr. Modi said. “India stands in solidarity with the people of Canada in this moment of profound grief.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a statement on Wednesday in his country’s House of Commons, The Guardian reported: “This morning I conveyed the U.K.’s deepest condolences to Prime Minister Carney and the people of Canada for the devastating shooting in Tumbler Ridge.”
Emotional Carney says nation mourns with Tumbler Ridge, B.C., after deadly school shooting
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the school shooting had left him “deeply shaken.”
“Our thoughts are with the people of Tumbler Ridge as they mourn their families, friends, and loved ones,” he said. “I wish those who were injured a swift recovery.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was saddened by the attack.
Authorities have not yet released the names or ages of the victims.Jesse Boily/The Canadian Press
“I send my sincere condolences to all Canadians impacted by this horrific event. Australian hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims and we are all thinking of those injured,” Mr. Albanese said.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said his country “stands in solidarity” with those affected and offers condolences to those “grieving unimaginable loss.”
Croatia’s Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, offered condolences to the affected families and all Canadians, as well as Mr. Carney, saying Croatians “were deeply shaken by the news.”
With a report from The Canadian Press