Carney 'devastated' by B.C. shootings, pauses trip to Europe

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “devastated” by a mass shooting in B.C. that left 10 dead , including the suspect, and has paused an international trip he was scheduled to embark on Wednesday evening.

“My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence,” said Carney, in a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday evening.

Carney also said he has reached out to B.C. Premier David Eby to express condolences and that Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree would be coordinating the federal response.

Carney was scheduled to travel to the Munich Security Conference on Wednesday evening after making an announcement in Halifax, but both events have been paused in the wake of the shooting. The prime minister is still expected to attend the Liberal caucus meeting scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Police said six people were found dead at a Tumbler Ridge, B.C. high school on Tuesday, along with the shooter, and two more people were found dead at a separate location. Another person died en route to the hospital. Twenty-five people were assessed at a local medical centre for non-life-threatening injuries.

More to come.

National Post

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