Representatives from various provincial government ministries provided another update today on the work being done in the community of La Loche following last week’s shooting deaths.
The Ministry of Health says four injured people remain in a Saskatoon hospital, and their families continue to ask for privacy at this time. Three other victims have since been released.
Donna Johnson, the Assistant Deputy Minister of Education, says a meeting was held yesterday with officials from the Northern Lights School Division and families in the community.
Johnson says some form of extra security will be brought into the school, once classes resume, which won’t happen for at least another 10 days.
“The school division is prepared to add security to the school by placing someone inside who will build relationships with staff and students to add a sense of security to the high school.”
Johnson says the school division is still working out the details and is having discussions with the local RCMP about the extra security.
Duane Momburquette with the Ministry of Health says all of the health regions in the area have been offering assistance to La Loche.
He also says First Nations organizations have been involved since last Friday’s shootings.
“We want to specially acknowledge the very immediate and on the ground support from Meadow Lake Tribal Council, who have done so much for the community with regard to a lot of the health services that are required and also the contributions from Prince Albert Grand Council and the Saskatoon Tribal Council.”
Saskatchewan Justice spokesperson Pat Thiele says more resources are being sent to the community to deal with trauma people may be experiencing.
“We have a trauma specialist from Washington, D.C. who had previously been scheduled to be in province to conduct training on trauma response and impacts, we’ve re-directed his resource and are bringing him to La Loche to assist where he can, primarily with the Victim’s Services team on the ground, to ensure that they are okay”.
The RCMP also gave a brief update.
Superintendent Grant St. Germaine, the North District Commander, says officers from across the province are in the community and are starting to wrap up the final details on the shooting incident.
Exact details on what transpired at the two shooting locations in the community are not being released to the public at this time.