Taipei: President Lai Ching-te on Thursday expressed condolences to the victims of a fatal school shooting in Canada, offering sympathies to the families of those killed and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. The shooting occurred Tuesday in the rural town of Tumbler Ridge in Canada’s British Columbia province, killing nine people and injuring 27 others.

According to Focus Taiwan, President Lai stated, “Our hearts go out to the community of Tumbler Ridge following the recent tragedy,” in a post on X. He added, “The people of Taiwan extend our deepest condolences to the victims’ loved ones, and we wish a swift recovery to all those injured. Our thoughts are with the people of Canada during this time.” Canadian authorities stated the incident is among the most serious school shootings in the country’s history.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported that the suspect was an 18-year-old former student identified as a transgender woman named Jesse Van Rootselaar. She allegedly shot her 39-year-old mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at their home before opening fire at her former high school. The suspect later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.