La Loche residents angry, worried as shooter returns to community
Teen in court today to learn if he’ll be punished as adult or youth
La Loche Mayor Robert St. Pierre describes the mood in his community this week as “uneasy.”
It’s been more than two years since a 17-year-old high school student killed two people in a home and then opened fire at the La Loche Community School in January 2016. The teen — who has been kept in custody at the Kilburn Hall youth detention facility in Saskatoon — is expected to return home this morning to learn if he will face a youth or adult sentence for his crimes.
The teen’s previous court appearances have occurred in Meadow Lake.
St. Pierre said some people in his community feel today’s sentencing decision should be issued in Meadow Lake as well and are worried about security as the teen is transported north and walked into the small La Loche provincial courthouse, which has seating capacity for just 32 people.
“It’s a concern,” he said. “We know the perpetrator’s going to be back in our community, he hasn’t been back since the incident, and we still have a lot of people who are upset and even angry.”
Barricades were expected to be set up around the La Loche courthouse Thursday night for security purposes. St. Pierre told people they are likely to see a heavy police presence in the community today.
There is no hotel in La Loche. The closest accommodations are in Buffalo Narrows, 100 kilometres to the south. On Thursday night, the hotels and guest houses there were fully booked as reporters, mental health support workers, victim services workers and others flocked north in advance of the sentencing decision.
St. Pierre has been telling people in the community this week that the world is watching.
“So we’ve got to show the world who we are as a people, that we’re respectful and we’re here together, we’re still here,” he said.
During the shooter’s sentencing hearing last spring, many people from La Loche asked the judge to impose an adult sentence. St. Pierre was among them. He said it will be “disappointing ” if a youth sentence is passed instead.
“I’m afraid of the consequences or the fallout of that decision,” he said.
Aaron Fox, the shooter’s defence lawyer, has argued for a youth sentence. He said Thursday that his client is feeling “apprehension” in advance of the sentencing decision.
“He spoke to the court — and I believe spoke sincerely and from the heart — that he was lashing out at something bigger and not individuals,” Fox said. “But at the same time, he knows, recognizes, the hurt that he’s imposed on victims and their families, but others in the community as well. He’s well aware of that. It’ll be a bit of a tense time.”
Fox said he expects the judge to issue a “lengthy” decision on whether the shooter will be sentenced as a youth or adult, but that the details of the sentence — which could include a date for parole eligibility — will be decided at a future court date in Meadow Lake.
The news frustrated St. Pierre, who had hoped everything would finally be wrapped up this week.
“It’s a long, drawn out process and I hope Justice learns from these proceedings that it does a lot more damage having it carry on that long because we can’t move until we know what the consequences are for such an action,” he said.
In anticipation of high emotions, St. Pierre said more mental health and victim support workers were on their way to La Loche. Although students are not in class this week because of the annual winter break, the school will be open during the day for people who want to be together.
Jason Young, director of education for the Northern Lights School Division, said counselling staff at the La Loche school are prepared to help students if they need it when classes resume next week.
The shooter — who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act — was less than a month away from his 18th birthday when he killed two brothers in a home and then opened fire at the school on Jan. 22, 2016.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of brothers Dayne and Drayden Fontaine, two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of teacher’s aide Marie Janvier and teacher Adam Wood, and seven counts of attempted murder.