A former substitute teacher has spoken of his disbelief after a mass shooting claimed ten lives at a school where he once worked in northern British Columbia.
Trent Ernst, who spent three months teaching at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School before taking up his current role, told GB News the tragedy was almost impossible to comprehend.
Speaking to The People's Channel this afternoon, Mr Ernst said: "There’s only a mass shooting like this once every few years in a town like this, or even in Canada so for it to happen here in Tumbler Ridge is really hard to process.
“Before I started this job, I actually spent three months substituting at the school.
"We’d had lockdowns before over rumours, and they were almost treated like ‘fun and games’. That’s how you move through situations like this until you hear that no, it wasn’t just a rumour.
“It wasn’t someone brandishing a gun. It was actual people dying.”
Asked what happened, he said: “At about 1.20pm local time, the RCMP received a call about an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, which is our high school. Officers were on scene within two minutes.
“Ambulances, fire crews and other emergency services attended, and because everyone in town was responding, the local district blocked off access to the school.
Trent Ernst used to be a substitute teacher at the school
|GB NEWS
“When I arrived, the area was already sealed off. I live-streamed briefly from the scene, then went home to continue covering it because my phone had died.
“It was during one of those live streams that I received the RCMP release confirming that ten people were dead, including the shooter.”
On gun laws in Canada, he added: “Canada has fairly strict gun laws, and there’s already been debate about tightening them further. I’m sure this will play into that.
“Tumbler Ridge is a small northern town, so there are a lot of hunters.”
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The remote community has fewer than 2,500 residents
|GOOGLE EARTH
The remote community of fewer than 2,500 residents was left reeling after Tuesday's attack, which police have described as one of the deadliest incidents of its kind in Canadian history.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police received reports of an active shooter at the secondary school at approximately 1.20pm local time on Tuesday, with officers arriving at the scene within two minutes.
Six people were discovered dead inside the school building, while another victim died whilst being transported to hospital. Two further fatalities were confirmed at a residential property elsewhere in the town.
The suspected gunman was found deceased from self-inflicted injuries, bringing the total death toll to ten.
Superintendent Ken Floyd, the RCMP North district commander, described the scene as "very dramatic" with extensive injuries among those affected.
More than two dozen wounded individuals required hospital treatment, with at least two patients airlifted to larger medical facilities given the isolated location of Tumbler Ridge, situated roughly 660 kilometres northeast of Vancouver.
Premier David Eby described the attack as an "unimaginable tragedy" and confirmed the provincial government would ensure all possible assistance reached those affected.
"Our hearts are in Tumbler Ridge tonight with the families of those who have lost loved ones," he stated.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his shock and grief over the incident, pledging comprehensive federal support for the stricken community.
The District of Tumbler Ridge acknowledged residents were likely experiencing feelings of fear and being overwhelmed by what had occurred.
"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," local authorities urged.
Both the secondary and primary schools will remain closed for the remainder of the week