La Loche shootings

File:La loche shooting.JPG

According to police, the shootings began at a residence in the 300 block of Dene Crescent, where the suspect shot two of his cousins some time before {{nowrap|1:00 p.m.}}{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/01/23/a-timeline-of-events-in-a-deadly-shooting-in-northern-saskatchewan_n_9062124.html|title=La Loche Shooting: A Timeline Of Events|website=huffingtonpost.ca|publisher=Huffington Post Canada|date=January 23, 2016|access-date=January 23, 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/five-dead-two-hurt-worst-canada-school-shooting-003409189.html|title=Four dead in worst Canada school shooting in decade, suspect caught|work=Yahoo! News|agency=Reuters|date=January 22, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2016|first1=Rod|last1=Nickel|first2=Julie|last2=Gordon}}{{cite news|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/2473203/eye-witness-accounts-of-the-la-loche-school-shooting/|title=Eye-witness accounts of the La Loche school shooting|website=globalnews.ca|publisher=Global News|date=January 23, 2016|access-date=January 23, 2016}} He then went to La Loche Community School's Dene Building{{efn|The Dene Building houses grades 7 through 12 and is sometimes referred to as Dene High School.{{cite news |first=Julia |last=Jacobo |title=4 Dead in Canada School Shooting, 2 Critically Injured |date=January 22, 2016 |access-date=January 31, 2016 |website=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/canadian-school-put-lockdown-amid-reports-shooting/story?id=36457082}}{{cite web |title=La Loche |date=n.d. |access-date=January 31, 2016 |website=Northern Lights School Division No. 113 |url=http://www.nlsd113.com/Northen%20Lights%20School%20Division/La%20Loche}}}} and began firing at around 1:05, shortly before lunch ended, reportedly with a shotgun.{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Markusoff |title=La Loche: A small town's grief. A nation's shame. |date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=June 17, 2016 |website=Maclean's |url=http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/la-loche-a-small-towns-grief-a-nations-shame/}}{{cite news |first=Douglas |last=Quan |title=Inside the deadly school shooting that shattered La Loche |date=January 28, 2016 |access-date=January 29, 2016 |website=National Post |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/inside-the-deadly-school-shooting-that-shattered-la-loche}} He fired at least six or seven shots inside the building, killing a teacher and an assistant and wounding seven others. The school shooting lasted for about eight minutes.

Between 1:08 and 1:10, a suspect with a gun was spotted by a responding officer, who chased him through the building and eventually arrested him outside at 1:15. Afterwards, police were notified of the bodies at the residence on Dene Crescent. Both the Dene Building and the elementary school were put on lockdown during the shooting.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/dead-la-loche-canada-school-shooting-article-1.2506479|title=Four dead in La Loche, Canada, school shooting; suspect in custody|work=The New York Daily News|date=January 22, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2016|first=Denis|last=Slattery}} The suspect had reportedly posted his intentions on Facebook.{{cite news|title=Alleged La Loche shooter sent 'chilling' chat messages about killing two people before heading to school|url=https://thestarphoenix.com/news/crime/la-loche-community-school-in-lockdown-stars-dispatched-we-will-not-be-allowing-anyone-in-or-out|publisher=Saskatoon Star Phoenix|date=January 22, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2016|first1=Alex|last1=MacPherson|first2=Morgan|last2=Modjeski|first3=Dave|last3=Deibert}}{{cite news|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/la-loche-suspect-allegedly-killed-his-two-brothers-before-school-shooting-unconfirmed-reports|title=La Loche school shooting suspect allegedly posted intentions on Facebook: report|work=National Post|date=January 22, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2016}}

Of about 350 enrolled students, around 150 were at school at the time, since many had taken final exams that morning and had no further classes.

The deceased were identified as brothers Dayne, 17, and Drayden Fontaine, 13; and teachers Adam Wood, 35, and Marie Janvier, 21.{{cite news |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/police-charge-17-year-old-boy-with-four-counts-of-first-degree-murder-in-la-loche-mass-shooting |title=Police charge 17-year-old boy with four counts of first-degree murder in La Loche mass shooting |newspaper=National Post |agency=The Canadian Press |date=January 23, 2016 |access-date=January 23, 2016}} Janvier and the Fontaine brothers died at the scene, and Wood died later in the local hospital.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/01/23/uxbridge-man-victim-of-saskatchewan-shooting.html |title=La Loche teen facing four first-degree murder counts in shooting spree|website=thestar.com |publisher=The Star |date=January 23, 2016 |access-date=January 23, 2016 |first1=Robin Levinson |last1=King |first2=Ben |last2=Spurr}} Seven other people were injured.{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Julie |last2=Nickel |first2=Rod |url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/3931594-remote-canadian-community-reels-shootings |title=Remote Canadian community reels from shootings |newspaper=Duluth News Tribune |agency=Reuters |date=January 23, 2016 |access-date=January 23, 2016}} The four most seriously wounded were flown to and hospitalized at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/02/12/saskatchewan-government-says-one-la-loche-shooting-victim-released-from-hospital_n_9217408.html|title=La Loche Shooting Victim Released From Hospital|work=Huffington Post Canada|date=February 12, 2016|access-date=February 17, 2016}} All were in critical condition two days after the shootings, according to an official in the Saskatchewan government. On {{nowrap|January 27}}, an official said three had been released.{{cite news |title=3 La Loche shooting victims released from hospital |date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=January 27, 2016 |website=CBC News |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/la-loche-shootings-three-victims-released-from-hospital-1.3422108}} A fourth was released on {{nowrap|February 12}}. On May 17, 2023, one of the injured victims, Charlene Klyne, died of her injuries from the shooting, according to her family.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/family-of-teacher-shot-in-2016-la-loche-school-shooting-says-she-died-from-her-injuries-1.6855132|title='Brave,' 'resilient' teacher shot in 2016 La Loche school shooting has died from her injuries, family says

|last=Sciarpelletti|first=Laura|agency=CBC News|date=May 26, 2023}}

==Perpetrator==

Police did not release the name of the suspect at the time, as he was protected by a publication ban as required by Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act. Police said he was a student at the school and that he was 17.{{cite news|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/saskatchewan-community-in-shock-after-4-killed-in-mass-shooting-1.2749183|title=Saskatchewan community in shock after 4 killed in mass shooting|website=ctvnews.ca|publisher=CTV News|date=January 23, 2016|access-date=January 23, 2016}} According to friends, he was bullied at school for his appearance.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/01/25/suspect-in-la-loche-shooting-was-bullied-a-loner-says-source-close-to-accused.html |title=Suspect in La Loche shooting was bullied, a loner, says source close to accused |website=Toronto Star |date=January 25, 2016 |access-date=January 25, 2016}} After the Supreme Court of Canada appeal, the publication ban was lifted revealing his name to be Randan Dakota Fontaine.{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-supreme-court-of-canada-wont-hear-la-loche-school-shooters/|title = Supreme Court of Canada won't hear la Loche school shooter's sentencing appeal}} After the publication ban was lifted, his court statement gave no rationale for his attack, and Fontaine repeatedly denied he was bullied.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/documents-account-la-loche-what-happened-1.5533215|title='Don't shoot me': Complete chilling account of La Loche mass shooting now public|website=cbc.ca|publisher=CBC News|date=April 16, 2020|access-date=April 16, 2020}}

File:La loche shooting Dene School 03.JPG

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman and other Canadian politicians issued statements expressing their condolences and shock at the shooting.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/canada/12116707/Canada-school-shooting-La-Loche-school-in-lockdown-live.html|title=Canada school shooting: five killed at La Loche school - latest|website=telegraph.co.uk|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=January 22, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2016|first=Harriet|last=Alexander}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/la-loche-shooting-condolences-pour-in-for-victims-1.2749211|title=La Loche shooting: Condolences pour in for victims|website=ctvnews.ca|publisher=CTV News|date=January 23, 2016|access-date=January 23, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/saskatchewan-will-reach-out-to-u-s-officials-after-la-loche-shooting-wall-1.2749780|title=Saskatchewan will reach out to U.S. officials after La Loche shooting: Wall |work=CTV News |date=January 24, 2016 |access-date=January 25, 2016}} Wall pledged counselling support and to cover costs for those travelling to see the hospitalized victims in Saskatoon. Kevin Janvier,{{efn|Marie Janvier's father was also named Kevin Janvier but was a different person.}} the acting mayor of La Loche, and Georgina Jolibois, MP for the Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River electoral district, called to have the school torn down and rebuilt in light of the trauma caused by the shootings.{{cite news |author=CBC News staff |title=La Loche shooting: Mayor, local MP call for school to be 'torn down' |work=CBC News |date=January 24, 2016 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/weather-temporarily-delays-brad-wall-visit-to-la-loche-following-shootings-1.3417814 |access-date=January 24, 2016}}

On {{nowrap|January 23}}, prior to a hockey game at the Air Canada Centre, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens had a minute of silence for the victims.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=799393|title=Around the League notebook: Saturday, Jan. 23|work= National Hockey League|date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016}}

File:La Loche Community School.JPG

RCMP Superintendent Grant St. Germaine called the incident the worst shooting tragedy in Canadian history at a high school or elementary school.{{cite news |first=Carrie |last=Tait |title=Two staff, two brothers named as Sask. school shooting victims |work=The Globe and Mail |date=January 24, 2016 |access-date=January 24, 2016 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/two-school-staff-two-brothers-named-as-victims-in-saskatchewan-school-shooting/article28362794/}} Reuters reported that it was the worst Canadian school shooting since the École Polytechnique massacre of 1989, in which fourteen were killed.{{cite news |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/01/23/world/crime-legal-world/five-dead-two-critical-shootings-northern-saskatchewan/#.VqSyHxSJ_Z5 |title=Canada gunman kills four in worst shooting since '89 |website=The Japan Times |agency=Reuters |date=January 23, 2016 |access-date=January 24, 2016}}{{efn|Four were killed and one wounded at the Concordia University massacre in 1992.}}

Classes at La Loche Community School were suspended immediately after the shooting. On {{nowrap|January 26}}, the local school board, Northern Lights School Division No. 113, told parents the school would reopen in seven to ten more days, though the reopening was postponed to at least {{nowrap|February 22}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/la-loche-community-school-to-remain-closed-1.3432711|title=La Loche Community School to remain closed|work=CBC News|date=February 3, 2016|access-date=February 4, 2016}} Plans to tear down the school were considered, but not passed.{{cite web|url=http://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/wall-says-la-loche-school-that-was-site-of-deadly-shooting-will-be-utilized-1.2771633|title=Wall says La Loche school that was site of deadly shooting will be utilized|work=CTV News|date=February 9, 2016|access-date=February 9, 2016}} It said that it was willing to implement a security program at that time, following community discussion on what that should entail. In the meantime, the elementary school building remains open for students to gather, receive counselling, and play floor hockey.{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Purdy |title=La Loche school could have security when classes resume after shooting |date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=January 27, 2016 |newspaper=Toronto Star |agency=Canadian Press |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/01/27/la-loche-school-could-have-security-when-classes-resume-after-shooting.html}} Exams for the first semester were cancelled for students who had not taken them on the morning of the shootings.{{cite web|url=https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=977973552249285&id=515066148540030|title=La Loche Community School Facebook post|work=Facebook|date=January 26, 2016|access-date=January 26, 2016}}

On January 29, Trudeau and Wall visited La Loche, where the former met with community leaders. Earlier that morning, a moment of silence was held in schools located across Saskatchewan.{{cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/2485895/trudeau-wall-head-to-la-loche-teachers-write-letter-to-students/|title=Trudeau arrives in La Loche after 'heartbreaking' school shooting|website=globalnews.ca|publisher=Global News|date=January 29, 2016|access-date=January 29, 2016|first1=David|last1=Giles|first2=Doug|last2=Lett}}

On {{nowrap|January 23}}, the suspect was charged with four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of attempted murder, and one count of unauthorized possession of a firearm. Two days later, he was arraigned in a provincial court in Meadow Lake, then remanded to a youth facility. As of August 2016, the suspect had appeared in court seven times and his next court date was scheduled for {{nowrap|October 28}}. Authorities have stated that they would like to sentence him as an adult if he is convicted.{{cite news |first=Colton |last=Swiderski |title=Accused in La Loche shooting elects trial by judge and jury |date=August 29, 2016 |access-date=August 31, 2016 |website=Battlefords Now |location=North Battleford, Saskatchewan |url=http://battlefordsnow.com/article/530953/accused-la-loche-shooting-elects-trial-judge-and-jury}}{{cite news |first=Colton |last=Swiderksi |title=Court case for accused La Loche shooter adjourned |date=July 19, 2016 |access-date=August 9, 2016 |website=Battlefords Now |location=North Battleford, Saskatchewan |url=http://battlefordsnow.com/article/525319/court-case-accused-la-loche-shooter-adjourned}} On October 28, 2016, the teen pleaded guilty to two counts of first degree murder, two counts of second degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder.[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/court-appearance-la-loche-shooting-oct28-1.3825928 Teen charged in deadly La Loche, Sask., shooting pleads guilty] On May 8, 2018, the gunman was sentenced to life imprisonment with no chance of parole for 10 years.{{cite news|last1=Giles|first1=David|last2=Kessler|first2=Ryan|title=La Loche school shooter sentenced to life in prison|url=https://globalnews.ca/author/david-giles/|access-date=May 19, 2018|agency=Global News|publisher=Corus Entertainment Inc.|date=May 8, 2018}} On October 31, 2019, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal upheld his conviction and adult sentence.{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6110038/adult-sentence-upheld-in-la-loche-school-shooter-appeal/|title = Adult sentence upheld in la Loche school shooter appeal | Globalnews.ca}} On April 16, 2020, the Supreme Court of Canada refused leave to appeal his conviction and sentence. As a result, he has exhausted all of his legal appeals.{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/supreme-court-will-not-hear-la-loche-shooter-s-appeal-1.5534139| title = La Loche shooter's lawyer disappointed Supreme Court won't hear appeal {{!}} CBC News}}

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