Today (wed), Canadians are marking the fourth anniversary of the tragic shootings in La Loche. Four people died and seven more were injured when a 17 year old boy killed two brothers in their home and then a teacher and a teacher’s aide at the high school. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says, “Today, we remember the victims, young people who were full of promise and potential.” The Prime Minister offered his deepest sympathies and support. Trudeau says, “We also pay tribute to the first responders, Indigenous leaders, and front-line service providers whose courage and professionalism saved lives at Dene high School, and prevented further tragedy that day.”

Last fall, Saskatchewan’s highest court dismissed a sentencing appeal by the shooter. He was sentenced as an adult to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years after pleading guilty to First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder and Attempted Murder. He was hoping for a youth sentence. In a 2-1 decision, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal ruled that it could find no errors in the judge’s decision that a youth sentence was not sufficient to hold the shooter accountable.