Temporary School Portables Arrive in Tumbler Ridge Amid Shooting Aftermath
Portables for a new temporary secondary school have begun arriving in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, this week, although no specific date has been established for when students can return to class. This development comes in the wake of a tragic mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on February 10, 2026, which left six people dead and the community in mourning.
Government Response and Temporary School Setup
The British Columbia government is establishing a temporary secondary school on the grounds of Tumbler Ridge Elementary School, located just over a kilometer north of the original school site. Chad Anderson, chair of the Peace River South school board, emphasized in a statement released by the provincial government on Monday that "routine and community are important to many in the aftermath of a tragedy, and we know change can cause uncertainty." He added that authorities are employing a compassionate, trauma-informed approach, with updates provided to the school community, families, and the public regarding a planned return to school in the coming days.
The first single-wide trailers, which will serve as bathrooms for the temporary school, arrived on Monday. Classroom trailers are scheduled to arrive on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Education. In total, there will be 14 units, and the setup is expected to take several days. More spacious double-wide trailers are also set to arrive at the elementary school site in the coming weeks. These double-wide units "will serve Tumbler Ridge Secondary until community input, expert advice, and future plans can be confirmed," as stated by the Education Ministry.
Community Impact and Leadership Promises
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School serves approximately 160 students from Grades 7 to 12, as per the school district website. At a vigil held in Tumbler Ridge last Friday, Premier David Eby made a solemn pledge to the community, assuring that students would not be forced to return to the site of the horrific shooting. "I will promise you that not one of you will ever be forced to go back to that school," he declared. "We will provide a safe place for you to go to school."
In a letter to families sent last Friday, school superintendent Christy Fennell reiterated the district's commitment to prioritizing the emotional and physical safety of the school community. She acknowledged that "some families will want the stability of school routines, while others may not feel ready." Fennell confirmed that the expectation is not to return to the current high school site as plans are developed.
Ongoing Investigation and Victim Details
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) is currently working to determine if a formal investigation into the shooting is warranted, and no reopening date has been set pending this process. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of six individuals: Kylie Smith, Ticaria Lampert, Zoey Benoit, and Abel Mwansa Jr., all aged 12; Ezekiel Schofield, aged 13; and Shannda Aviugana-Durand, a 39-year-old education assistant. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath, as temporary measures are put in place to support students and families during this difficult time.
