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Lambton College says the shooting at a student function is a ‘shocking and saddening event’
Published Apr 10, 2026 • Last updated 0 minutes ago • 3 minute read
A sign for the Lions Den pub at Lambton College in Sarnia is shown behind police tape on Friday, April 10, 2026. The college was closed following a shooting at the campus pub that left one person dead and two injured. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The ObserverArticle content
Gunfire rang out early Friday at the campus bar at Lambton College in Sarnia, leaving one dead and two injured, city police say.
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A 20-year-old Sarnia man died in the city’s hospital following the shooting just before 1 a.m. in the Lions Den pub at Lambton College, police said. The identity of the person who died has not been released by police as of Friday morning.
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Two other people have injuries that aren’t life threatening, police said.
No one was in custody as of Friday morning as the homicide probe continued with officers expected to remain on scene at the school, police said.
“No information has been received that this incident targeted Lambton College or the general crowd in attendance. There is also no information to support any speculation of political motivation in any form,” Sarnia police said Friday.
This is the second homicide linked to Lambton College in the last 16 months after an international student was stabbed to death in an off-campus house where he rented a room.
Lambton College, one of 24 publicly funded colleges in Ontario, said in a post on its website it was closed Friday and all classes and on-campus activities were cancelled.
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“This is a shocking and saddening event for our community,” the college said. “Support resources are available to students through the counselling page on MyLambton.”
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley called it a sad morning for the city.
“Thoughts and support for everyone at Lambton College. An incident last night led to a loss of life. Few details at this time,” he posted on his Facebook page.
“Don’t have enough details to say more about the victim and the injured,” Bradley said Friday in an email to Postmedia.
The incident took place during a student administrative council event and emergency services responded immediately, the college said. Lambton College’s student administrative council has been asked for comment, but a response wasn’t immediately received.
The college said Friday’s closing includes the college’s fire school, Skilled Trades Training Centre, EarlyON Child and Family Centre and Community Employment Services, as well as its main campus building. The college is asking students and the Sarnia community to avoid the college area while police investigate.
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“The safety of our students, employees, and guests is our highest priority,” the college said. “We are working closely with the Sarnia police service as they investigate.”
Sarnia police have asked anyone with information or video of the shooting to call them at 519-344-8861.
Hundreds of people posted comments on social media Friday in response to shooting, with some offering prayers and condolences to the person who died or wanting more information about who the shooter was.
Others commented about racism and pointed to the Lambton College student who was killed just over a year ago.
In December 2024, a 22-year-old international student from India who was studying business at Lambton College was stabbed to a death in the kitchen of a house on Queen Street where he lived with several other tenants. A 36-year-old Sarnia man who also rented a room in the house was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
This is the second homicide of 2026 in Lambton County. A 29-year-old Walpole Island man with apparent gunshot wounds died on the First Nation between Sarnia and Chatham on Jan. 1. A 32-year-old man, also from Walpole Island, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, discharging a firearm with intent, and possessing a firearm, a long gun, without a licence.
In December 2025, four people were attacked and one died in a small Lambton County retirement community near Lake Huron. A young man who several neighbours said was the son of the deceased person was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder.
More photos
Sarnia police officers stand next to yellow police tape at Lambton College where one person died and two were injured in a shooting at a campus bar on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
An entrance at Lambton College in Sarnia is blocked off on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
A Sarnia police cruiser is parked at Lambton College on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
A sign on a door at Lambton College in Sarnia alerts visitors the campus is closed on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
Sarnia’s mobile command post is parked at Lambton College on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
A police officer stands at Lambton College on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
Sarnia police vehicles parked at Lambton College on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
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