A man in Lillooet, British Columbia, allegedly went into a Bridge River Band government office Wednesday and attacked the people inside, leaving 10 people hurt and most of them in critical condition. The authorities have announced that the unnamed suspect was subdued but also died after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RMCP) arrived.
Two out of the 10 injured are being observed in critical condition. Two others are in serious condition as well, while the other six received non-fatal injuries, according to Michaela Swan of the Interior Health Authority, Fox News reported.
The local, unnamed man allegedly went into the Xwisten band office before 8:30 a.m. and struck one of the staff members with a hammer. Those who tried to stop the man were also attacked.
"A number of our office staff are being stabilized and transferred to other hospitals. Our attention now will be on the healing work we need to do. This tragedy has put our community into shock," Xwisten Chief Susan James said, according to The Vancouver Sun.
The RMCP responded to the office immediately but was unable to transport the suspect since he became unconscious and "unresponsive," according to the police statement.
"RCMP officers immediately commenced CPR, which was continued by EHS who were staged nearby," their report said, but the man was immediately pronounced dead at the scene, according to CBC News.
The reason behind the attack is unclear.
