The northern community of La Loche is in shock following the events at the La Loche Community School Friday afternoon.
Four people were killed in a shooting rampage at the school.
A 17-year-old was taken into custody and was due to make his first appearance in provincial court in Meadow Lake Monday. A candlelight vigil has taken place in the community as residents try to come to terms with what happened.
The tragedy has shocked the close-knit and isolated community and has brought a response from provincial officials. Premier Brad Wall and opposition leader Cam Broten were both in the community this weekend to express condolences.
Premier Wall issued this statement on Facebook:
“Words cannot express my shock and sorrow at the horrific events today in La Loche. My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims, their families and friends and all the people of the community.
“Thank you to the RCMP and all the emergency personnel who responded quickly to the shootings. Saskatchewan Education and Social Services will be available to provide all necessary crisis support and counselling services to the school and the community.”
Opposition leader Broten issued this statement on the NDP caucus website:
“Ruth and I are deeply saddened and shocked by the events at the La Loche Community School. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and friends, and the entire community and region. As parents, we send our kids off to school, we part for the workday, and we expect all to come home, together again, safe and loved. It's devastating to know that some Saskatchewan families won’t be coming home to each other tonight.
“We’ll hug our daughters tighter tonight, as I’m sure many Canadians will.
“The people of La Loche – and Northern Saskatchewan – are incredibly resilient, but they'll need our support and in the days, weeks and months ahead we will be there for them.”
Director of Education Ken Ladouceur of Northern Lights School Division issued this statement on Facebook Friday:
“We at the Northern Lights School Division extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the entire community of La Loche. Our entire school and school division community are in shock and in mourning after the tragic events in La Loche today. Our hearts are broken for each of the victims and their families and for all the students and staff at the La Loche Community School.
“Our school division is working with provincial agencies to bring crisis response teams in to La Loche to ensure that the necessary supports are in place for our students, staff and the community as a whole.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also issued a statement on the tragedy while in Davos, Switzerland: "We all grieve with and stand with the community of La Loche and all of Saskatchewan on this terrible, tragic day."
