Chris Norbury, a town councillor, experienced the fear firsthand. His wife teaches at the secondary school, and his daughter attends a nearby elementary school. He first sensed something was wrong when his daughter’s school called to say they were in lockdown.
He managed to speak briefly with his wife. Soon after, authorities issued an emergency alert about an active shooter. Then he lost contact with her. Norbury said the waiting felt unbearable. He tried to remain calm and avoid rumors spreading on social media, but the fear was overwhelming.
Emergency vehicles and helicopters rushed to the school and nearby medical center. Residents watched from a distance, unsure of what was happening. Many described feeling helpless as events unfolded.
Students Recall Terrifying Moments
Bryan Castellarin’s 15 year old son, Ashton, was inside the school during the shooting. Ashton and his classmates heard gunshots while studying. Teachers quickly moved students into lockdown.
Ashton and his friends hid in a classroom corner for nearly three hours. Some students cried and panicked. Ashton tried to comfort them even though he felt scared himself. He did not know where the shots came from or what was happening outside.
Bryan later said he feels grateful his son survived. However, Ashton remains shaken and still waits for news about some friends.
Another student, Darian Quist, also described tense moments. He and about 15 classmates barricaded their classroom door with tables after hearing the alarm. They stayed inside until police escorted them out.
During the lockdown, Darian received disturbing images from others. The photos showed blood inside the school. He said that was the moment he realized how serious the situation was.
Community Faces Harsh Reality
Darian’s mother, Shelley Quist, worked at the local hospital during the crisis. Staff learned about the active shooter nearly 30 minutes after the lockdown began. Shelley stayed on the phone with her son while panic spread through the town.
Police began releasing students around 5 pm, more than three hours after the lockdown started. Families reunited in what Darian called organized chaos. Emergency teams acted quickly and professionally, but many people still did not understand the full scale of the tragedy.
When officials later confirmed the number of victims, the reality hit hard. Residents say the entire town feels shaken. Although authorities have not yet released the victims’ names, many believe they will know those who died.
In a town as small as Tumbler Ridge, loss touches everyone. The community now faces the painful task of grieving together and supporting one another in the days ahead.
