Darian Quist

A 17-year-old student has described the terrifying moments he and his classmates spent barricaded inside a classroom during the mᴀss shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia

An attack that, along with a related shooting at a nearby home, left 10 people ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, including the suspect.

Darian Quist, a Grade 12 student at the school, spoke publicly just hours after the violence unfolded on February 10.

Sitting beside his mother, Shelley Quist, he recounted how what initially seemed like a routine lockdown quickly turned into a life-or-death situation.

“At first, I didn’t think anything was going on,” Darian Quist said, explaining that he believed it might be a standard “secure and hold” procedure.

But as students began receiving messages and images on their phones, the reality of the situation became clear.

“We realized something was wrong,” he said, describing the atmosphere in the classroom as tense and fearful as they tried to remain calm and support one another.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), officers responded to reports of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time.

Police later confirmed that six victims were found deceased inside the school building and a seventh died en route to a local hospital.

Two additional individuals were discovered ᴅᴇᴀᴅ at a nearby residence that investigators have linked to the school attack. The suspect was also found deceased at the school with what authorities described as a self-inflicted gunsH๏τ wound.

In total, 10 people died, including the shooter, and at least 25 others were injured, some critically. The RCMP has not released an official motive for the attack.

Authorities initially described the suspect as a female, but further identifying details have not been publicly confirmed.

Darian Quist said that he and his classmates pushed tables against the classroom door and discussed possible escape routes in case the shooter entered.

They remained barricaded for roughly two and a half hours before RCMP officers escorted them out of the building.

Images from the scene showed students leaving the school in a line with their hands raised as police secured the area.

Tumbler Ridge Secondary School serves approximately 160 students in grades 7 through 12 in the small northeastern British Columbia community of Tumbler Ridge, which has a population of about 2,399.

Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka said the tragedy has shaken the close-knit mining town.

“I have lived here for 18 years,” Krakowka said. “I probably know every one of the victims.” He described breaking down upon learning the news.

Authorities continue to investigate the events leading up to the shootings at both the school and the linked residence.

Law enforcement officials have acknowledged that understanding the motive may be difficult, and they have urged the public to allow investigators time to piece together what happened.

As the community mourns, grief counseling and support services have been made available to students, staff and families affected by the violence.

The RCMP has said further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.