
La Loche shooting: Teen suspect charged with four counts of 1st-degree murder
- Details
- Category: Canada News
- Published Saturday, January 23, 2016
- CTV News

A 17-year-old male has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder following a mass shooting that left four people dead in La Loche, Sask.
At a press conference on Saturday, RCMP Supt. Grant St. Germaine said that the suspect, who can't be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of attempted murder and a single count of unauthorized possession of a firearm.
"There's never been a school shooting of this magnitude in the country," St. Germaine said.
The suspect is scheduled to make his first court appearance next week.
Teacher, tutor among the victims
Earlier Saturday, a teacher and a tutor were identified as two of the victims of the mass shooting.
Family members confirmed to CTV News that Adam Wood, a new teacher, and Marie Janvier, a tutor, were both killed when a gunman stormed Dene High School on Friday afternoon.
According to a statement from his family, Wood was originally from Uxbridge, Ont.
His family said he moved to La Loche this past September to begin his teaching career, and was enjoying his experience there.
"Adam was quite an adventurer, had a passion for life, and would make you laugh until your stomach hurt," the family said. "He was always up for a good challenge and lived each day joyously."
Ashton Lemaigre, a friend of Janvier's, told the Canadian Press that the tutor was kind and patient with children.
"The kids loved having her around," Lemaigre said. "When we were out and about kids would say 'Hi.' They would just come running to her. And she was just a friend to everybody."
Wood and Janvier were two of four victims killed during the shooting on Friday. An unspecified number of other victims sustained injuries and had to be airlifted to hospital in Saskatoon, which is about 600 kilometres south of La Loche.
Police said they are investigating two different locations.
Mourners gathered at the Dene High School on Friday to pay their respects to the victims with a candlelit vigil.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also offered his condolences on Friday, calling the shooting "a parent's worst nightmare."
"We all grieve with and stand with the community of La Loche and the province of Saskatchewan on this terrible and tragic day," he said from Davos, Switzerland.
With files from CTV's Sarah Plowman and The Canadian Press