A student from Tumbler Ridge, Canada, has recounted receiving disturbing photos from the school shooting scene.
On Tuesday, February 10, a tragic event unfolded at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, claiming the lives of nine individuals in a town with a population of about 2,400.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have stated that two victims with life-threatening injuries were airlifted to the hospital.
In a separate event, two more people were killed at a nearby residence, which may be related to the school incident, although the police have not confirmed this connection.
After the incident, Grade 12 student Darian Quist and his mother, Shelley Quist, shared their experience during the school lockdown on CBC Radio West.
Darian recounted that he was in his mechanics class around 1:30 pm when an alarm prompted the school to initiate a lockdown.
Though Darian couldn’t hear anything from his location, he and his classmates began devising a plan and barricaded the door.
While trying to stay calm, Darian received unsettling photographs from a classroom affected by the shooting.
“They were disturbing, showing blood and things like that,” he shared.
“I think that’s when it all really set in. I was definitely pretty scared, I was wondering if we were formulating an escape plan if anyone did come up to the door we were gonna’ run outside of the garage door and out of the back towards the visitor center.”
There were about 15 students in Darian’s classroom, along with a teacher who helped move tables to block the door until the police arrived to escort them to safety.
Shelley, Darian’s mother, described the experience as a ‘rollercoaster of emotions,’ noting that she was at work when a colleague informed her about the situation at the high school.
She called Darian’s mobile phone and stayed on the line with him while he waited in the classroom.
Shelley then left work to be with her 20-year-old son, locking her doors and maintaining phone contact with Darian.
In the end, the two were reunited.
https://twitter.com/Dave_Eby/status/2021415516620091871
“I gave him a very big hug and he’s not going to be out of my sight for a while now,” Shelley said.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, British Columbia Premier David Eby extended his sympathies to the affected families, stating, “Our hearts are in Tumbler Ridge tonight with the families of those who have lost loved ones. Government will ensure every possible support for community members in the coming days, as we all try to come to terms with this unimaginable tragedy.”