At least two people are dead and a suspect is in custody Friday after a shooting at La Loche Community School in Northern Saskatchewan, according to an interview by Clearwater River Dene Nation Chief Teddy Clark to The Star Phoenix newspaper.
“Both Clearwater and La Loche, a lot of people are in shock. This is something that you only see on TV most of the time,” the chief of a Saskatchewan First Nation told the newspaper.
The elementary school in La Loche was under lockdown about midday Friday, according to the school’s Facebook page.
The school provides a prekindergarten to grade 12 education and houses about 900 students in two buildings, the school’s Facebook page says.
“There is currently an emergency occurring at the Dene Building and we are asking the public to stay away while the matter is resolved by the RCMP,” the school said on Facebook. “We will not be allowing anyone in or out until we have a clear idea of what is going on.”
Royal Canadian Mounted Police and emergency personnel responded to the shooting, according to a Facebook post by Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall.
“Words cannot express my shock and sorrow at the horrific events today in La Loche,” he said. “My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims, their families and friends and all the people of the community.”
Saskatchewan Education and Social Services will be providing crisis support and counseling services to the school and the community, the premier said.
