By Red Power Media, Staff
17-year-old male student, charged with 4 counts of 1st-degree murder
Police on Saturday charged a 17-year-old male with four counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder in a mass shooting at a school and home in a remote aboriginal community in northern Saskatchewan.
The alleged suspect can’t be named under Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act.
La Loche RCMP said nine people were shot in the school, including 21-year-old, Marie Janvier, a teacher’s aide who died at the scene and a male teacher identified as 35-year-old Adam Wood, who died in a hospital. The seven people wounded in Friday’s shooting at the school are hospitalized.
Marie Janvier and Adam Wood are two victims of the Jan. 22 shooting in La Loche, Sask., that left four people dead. (Facebook/handout )
Police said two brothers, 17-year-old Dayne Fountaine and 13-year-old Drayden, were shot dead in a home before the gunman headed to the grade 7-12 La Loche Community School. Police responded to a call of shots fired at the school shortly after the lunch hour.
RCMP Commanding Officer Brenda Butterworth-Carr said when officers arrived at the school they saw the front door had been shot open. They entered the school, spotted the suspect and gave chase before apprehending him. He is due in court next week.
Police said they were not aware of a motive and declined to say what type of gun was used.
“This is a significant event for Canada,” RCMP Supt. Grant St. Germaine said. “It’s a huge impact on the community of La Loche. It’s a part of changing times. We are seeing more violence.”
Candle vigil was beautiful and to the la Loche community family that join us to pray and show support for our loves one. #Prayersforlaloche (Photo: Janvier Nathan/Facebook)
Community comes together for vigils
More than 100 community members came together late Friday to hold vigils outside the school and at a local church. The families of the two young teachers paid emotional tribute to their loved ones. By Saturday morning, many of the larger candles that had been lit were still flickering.
The school is in the remote Dene aboriginal community of La Loche, with a population of about 3,000.
RED POWER MEDIA 