A La Loche man who fatally shot four people in his home community two years ago was sentenced to life in federal prison on Tuesday.
In her decision, Judge Janice McIvor opted not to recommend the man begin his sentence in a regional psychiatric facility as requested by the defence.
It will be 10 years before he is eligible for parole.
The man, who cannot be named because of a publication ban, was a minor when the crimes occurred in January 2016.
In February, Justice McIvor chose to impose an adult sentence on the man noting the heinousness, calculation and long-term planning that went into the killings.
In Tuesday’s sentencing decision, she reiterated the same sentiments saying, “These murders were senseless, cold and horrific.”
The man, who is now 20, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder.
The shooting spree included the La Loche high school and a local residence.
In her decision, the judge did note it is clear the man needs some form of mental health counselling but she left it to other professionals to determine what form and where this takes place.
La Loche Mayor Robert St. Pierre says although the sentencing does bring some closure, not much has changed since January 2016 in terms of the community receiving necessary mental health supports.
“We’re in a community that needs a lot of help,” he says. “We know that, we’ve identified that, we’ve stipulated that over and over — all the leaders and community members. And we’re still there, unfortunately, we’re still there, two years later.”
Defence lawyer Aaron Fox adds his client pleaded guilty almost two years ago in the hopes that he would get the necessary mental health help he requires but this has also not yet happened.
“There is a frustration that we’re now May of 2018 and that process hasn’t even started,” he says.
A report prepared for the court states the man has an anti-social personality and suffers from depression.
In a short address to court, he apologized for the harm caused to his victims and their families, his own family and the La Loche community.
The publication ban of his name remains in place for at least another 30 days while the defence decides whether or not it will appeal.
Teacher Adam Wood, teacher’s aide Marie Janvier and brothers Dayne and Drayden Fontaine were killed in the January 2016 shooting spree
(PHOTO: The La Loche shooter is driven to court on Feb. 23, 2017. Photo by Chelsea Laskowski.)