UPDATE: The Prime Minister has confirmed that five people are dead following the shooting in the small northern Saskatchewan community. Two more people are critically injured as a result of the shooting. The alleged shooter has been taken into custody, as confirmed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
RCMP has the situation under control and it has now turned into an investigation as to why the deadly shooting took place.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Trudeau. “The community is reeling and all of us across this country have our hearts going out to the community and the families.”
No names of the victims have been released.
— GeorginaJoliboisNDP (@GeorginaNDP) January 22, 2016
Original Story:
La Loche Community School in northern Saskatchewan is under lockdown after what has been reported as a shooting in the community.
Brad Wall posted a statement to Facebook, confirming the incident was a shooting, and commenting on the shocking situation.
“Words cannot express my shock and sorrow at the horrific events today in La Loche,” posted Wall. “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,” he continued. “Saskatchewan Education and Social Services will be available to provide all necessary crisis support and counselling services to the school and the community.”
According to the school’s facebook page, the emergency situation is happening at the Dene high school building, and they are asking for the public to avoid the area while La Loche RCMP officers deal with the situation.
There is currently an emergency occurring at the Dene Building and we are asking the public to stay away while the...
Posted by La Loche Community School - LLCS on Friday, January 22, 2016
The elementary school lock down will not be lifted until RCMP say it is safe to do so.
“We will not be allowing anyone in or out until we have a clear idea of what is going on,” continues the post.
The RCMP has released a statement, asking parents and community members to avoid the scene of the ongoing incident.
Parents only are asked to attend the Ducharme Elementary School on Mission Street in La Loche.
RCMP say they are currently investigating and will provide more updates as they come.
STARS Ambulance in Saskatoon, which tweets out their calls, reported being dispatched to an emergency in La Loche.
It is unclear how many victims there are but early reports indicate that at least two people are dead and a boy is in custody.
Former La Loche mayor, and current MP for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, Georgina Jolibois, released a statement via Facebook:
January 22, 2015NDP STATEMENT ON THE SHOOTING AT LA LOCHE COMMUNITY SCHOOLNDP MP Georgina Jolibois (Desnethé...
Posted by Georgina Jolibois, MP Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River on Friday, January 22, 2016
Support and kind words are pouring out over social media.
there was a high school shooting in la loche, I'd never expect this to happen in Saskatchewan ):
— dehtan (@shawnswhitetee) January 22, 2016 All my thoughts are with the La Loche community during this horrific incident and the RCMP who are dealing with the situation.
— Eric Schalm (@ESchalm) January 22, 2016 KelownaNow will keep readers updated as the situation unfolds.
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