Gunman goes on rampage at school in Canada
School is 1 of 2 sites attacked in remote aboriginal community
A man was in custody after authorities said he opened fire at a high school and another location in northern Saskatchewan, killing four people and injuring two others.
TORONTO — A gunman opened fire at a high school and a second location in an aboriginal community in northern Saskatchewan on Friday, leaving four dead and at least two others injured, officials said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said from Davos, Switzerland, that a suspect was in custody.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” he said. “The community is reeling.”
Kevin Janvier said his 23-year old daughter Marie, a teacher, was shot dead by the gunman.
“He shot two of his brothers at his home and made his way to the school,” he said. “I’m just so sad.”
Marie was Janvier’s only child. He said he didn’t know if the shooter knew his daughter.
Trudeau said the shootings occurred at a high school and another location but did not release any information on the second location. School shootings are rare in Canada.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Chief Supt. Maureen Levy said the gunman was arrested outside the school but declined to release details about him.
A student at La Loche Community School who was just returning from lunch when shots were fired said his friends ran past him urging him to get out.
“‘Run, bro, run!” Noel Desjarlais-Thomas, 16, recalled his friends saying to him as they fled.
“There’s a shotgun! There’s a shotgun! They were just yelling to me. And then I was hearing those shots, too, so of course I started running.”
The school, for grades 7 through 12, is in the remote aboriginal community of La Loche, Saskatchewan. The school’s Face- book page said it would remain on lockdown until the Royal Canadian Police resolve the matter. It asked the public to stay away.
How many died at the school was unclear. Police have yet to announce details.
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall earlier confirmed the shooting.
“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,” he said in a statement.
The area’s representative in parliament, who attended the same school, was setting up a constituency office in the community when the shooting occurred.
“We’re fairly shaken up. It’s a sad day,” said Georgina Jolibois, who was mayor of La Loche until she was elected to parliament last fall. “My own nieces and nephews were inside the school.”
Jolibois said she went to the school and spoke with some of her family members, who were unharmed. She wouldn’t reveal details of the shooting.
Bobby Cameron, Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, said it was the worst tragedy to ever hit the community.
“It’s not something you ever imagine happening here. The whole community, province and country has been affected and we will all go into mourning,” said Cameron, who attended graduations at the school for the past few years. “Right now we’re just in a state of shock and disbelief.”