The Canadian Press
LA LOCHE, Sask. – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected today in a northern Saskatchewan community where residents have spent the last week grieving a shooting that left four people dead and seven others wounded.
The isolated Dene community of La Loche was rocked to its core last Friday when a shooter killed two brothers at a home in town before going to the high school and killing a teacher and a teacher’s aide.
A 17-year-old boy, who can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder.
Friends have said he was an outcast at home and a victim of bullying at school.
The prime minister, who is to be joined by Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, was in Switzerland when he was notified of the shooting.
He said at the time that all Canadians stand with the people of La Loche in what he called “every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Teachers from the school have posted a letter on Facebook that assures students they won’t be deserted after last week’s events.
“Some people have expressed concern that some of us have left and the fact is, we are hurt and we are healing but we are still here,” the letter says.
“Some people need to leave to get help. We don’t judge or condemn anyone who needs to be somewhere else to pick up the pieces, but we are choosing to move forward together, as a family and a community,” in continues.
“We are supporting each other so we can help support you. We will be back. We will rebuild. We will get better together.
“So if you find yourself wondering where your teachers and school staff are, the answer is: we are in La Loche. Because truly, where else would we be?”
