Source: National Post

Saskatchewan January 21, 2016

Right now, La Loche is devastated,” said an emotional First Nation chief after at least five people were killed, two were in critical condition and a suspect was taken into custody after a daytime shooting at the community school in the northern Saskatchewan community.

Those in the remote Dene town of about 3,000 people on the eastern shore of Lac La Loche were left searching for answers and details but found themselves with only more questions in the wake of the shooting, approximately six hours north of Saskatoon.

“The community usually pulls together really strong in times like this,” said Clearwater River Dene Nation Chief Teddy Clark on Friday.

“Both Clearwater and La Loche, a lot of people are in shock. This is something that you only see on TV most of the time.”

Acting Mayor Kevin Janvier said RCMP confirmed to him that one person was in custody but he did not know anything about the suspect. According to The Canadian Press, the community’s fire chief said a boy with a gun was in custody.

Around 1 p.m., La Loche RCMP received a complaint about an active shooter in the community, RCMP said in a release. Officer responded to the Dene building of La Loche Community School and “immediately began searching for the suspect.” At 1:47 p.m., a male was taken into custody outside the school, at which time a firearm was seized, said police. La Loche Community School is for pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12, and houses approximately 900 students in two buildings.

“It’s just tragic and everybody’s running around,” said Janvier, adding that to his understanding the shooting at the school took place when an individual walked in and “opened fire in the building.”

According to multiple sources, there was a shooting incident at a residence in the community, followed by a shooting at the school soon after. RCMP said investigators on Friday afternoon and into the evening were at two locations: a residence in the 300 block of Dene Crescent and the Dene building.

“These are active investigation areas and the public is asked to not attend these locations,” said RCMP in a news release.

STARS Ambulance was dispatched from Saskatoon. In addition to local RCMP, emergency services were also on the scene.

Police said they have not yet confirmed the identities of those killed. RCMP also did not have information “about the type or extent” of injuries suffered by those who were taken to hospital. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in a nationally-televised address, said two people were critically injured.

The great-aunt of one of those injured said her great-nephew was rushed to Saskatoon hospital, and that relatives were coming from afar to La Loche to show their support.

“Everyone is in shock,” said Yvette Fontaine, who said her great-nephew was shot but managed to run out of the school.

Despite earlier reports to the contrary, RCMP said the lockdown remained in place at both the Dene building and the elementary school as a precaution, though police wanted “to emphasize to the community that there is no risk to public safety at this time.”

Trudeau, addressing the country in his nationally-televised speech, said he wanted to “express both our sympathy and support” for those impacted and in the community and also thanked first responders, who he said “acted swiftly and bravely.”

According to Trudeau, the RCMP commissioner confirmed to him the death toll and that a suspect was in custody, bringing the situation “under control.”

School coordinator Norma Janvier said she was in her office when she heard gunshots.

“I didn’t know what was going on … I thought the kids were just playing around or something, like a locker slamming and stuff,” she said.

She was going to check on the noise, but a teacher closed her office door, so Janvier stayed inside until she was told it was safe to leave.

“All I heard was cops running around in the school.”

Trudeau, during his press conference from the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, said “we all grieve with and stand with the community of La Loche and all of Saskatchewan on this terrible, tragic day.

“Obviously this is every parent’s worst nightmare,” he added. “All of us across this country’s hearts are going out to the families and to the whole community.”

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