Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was "devastated" by a "horrific" shooting in a remote part of western British Columbia province that killed nine people and partly targeted a secondary school.
"My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence," Mr Carney said in a social media post.
The shooting occurred in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, a picturesque mountain valley town in the foothills of the Rockies.
A total of 27 people were wounded, including two with serious injuries and 25 others with non-life-threatening injuries, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a statement.
Canadian media have reported that the shooter was female, but the RCMP declined to provide any details on the suspect's identity in a press conference.
Police said an alert was issued about an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School yesterday afternoon.
As police searched the school, they found six people shot dead. A seventh person with a gunshot wound died while en route to hospital.
Separately, police found two more deceased people at a residence in Tumbler Ridge. This residence is "believed to be connected to the incident," police said.
In a statement, the municipality of Tumbler Ridge said, "There are no words sufficient for the heartbreak our community is experiencing tonight."
RCMP's northern district commander Ken Floyd said in a statement this "was a rapidly evolving and dynamic situation."
"This has been an incredibly difficult and emotional day for our community, and we are grateful for the cooperation shown as officers continue their work to advance the investigation," he added.
The RCMP said officers were searching other homes and properties in the community to see if there were additional sites connected to the incident.
Tumbler Ridge, a quiet town with roughly 2,400 residents, is more than 1,100km north of Vancouver, British Columbia's largest city.
"We are devastated by the loss of life and the profound impact this tragedy has had on families, students, staff, and our entire town," the municipality said.
Federal opposition leader Pierre Poilievre called it a "senseless act of violence."
Mr Carney is suspending his planned trip to the Munich Security Conference following the shooting, his office said.
"Following the tragic news out of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, the Prime Minister will be suspending his planned travel out of the country for the time being," the prime minister's office told AFP.
Mr Carney had previously announced plans to be in Munich from today to Sunday.
