Today (Fri) marks 5 years since the La Loche shooting.
On January 22, 2016, Dayne and Drayden Fontaine, teacher Adam Wood and teacher’s aide Marie Janvier were killed in the shooting, and 7 others were injured.
The gunman, now 22-year-old Randan Fontaine, pleaded guilty to First and Second Degree Murder and Attempted Murder and was sentenced as an adult, in May 2018, with no chance of parole for 10 years.
His attempt to appeal the adult sentence was rejected by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal in October 2019, and in April 2020, the Supreme Court of Canada would not hear the appeal.
To commemorate the tragedy, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe released a statement as well as posted a video onto Twitter. The full statement can be read below:
“Five-years ago, La Loche was shaken by a terrible tragedy.
“Everyone in this community felt the impact and everyone in the province shared your grief; but during this time we also saw great courage, we saw compassion, we saw a community united and determined to recover and rebuild in the face of adversity that most of us could never imagine.
“Today, is a day of remembrance; remembrance for Dayne Fontaine, Drayden Fontaine, Marie Janvier and Adam Wood. Four lives cut tragically short. And to remember those still bearing injuries today – be it physical or spiritual.
“Today is also a day of reflection, reflection of the healing that has taken place over the past five-years, and the healing that will continue on.
“There is a long road ahead, and what was lost five years ago can never be recovered, but to the family, friends, colleagues and class mates of Dayne, Drayden, Marie and Adam: please know that we will not forget them, they will be in the hearts and minds of Saskatchewan people as you continue down this road of healing.
“I know the strength and resiliency of the people of La Loche will not only build a better tomorrow for future generations in La Loche, but you will be a beacon of hope for future generations across Saskatchewan.”