Advertisement

‘We must always learn from these awful tragedies’: Alberta minister on La Loche shooting

Residents console each other at the memorial near the La Loche Community School in La Loche, Sask., on Sunday. January 24, 2016. John McCoy, a U.S. politician whose community was ripped apart by a 2014 school shooting, offers advice in the wake of the La Loche shooting Friday left four people dead.
Residents console each other at the memorial near the La Loche Community School in La Loche, Sask., on Sunday. January 24, 2016. John McCoy, a U.S. politician whose community was ripped apart by a 2014 school shooting, offers advice in the wake of the La Loche shooting Friday left four people dead. Jason Franson / The Canadian Press

Alberta’s education minister said the province will take any lessons it can from the horrible shooting in La Loche, Sask. last week.

“It’s just such a terrible thing that happened,” David Eggen said in Airdrie Monday.

On Friday, a 17-year-old boy shot and killed four people and injured seven others. A teacher and a teacher’s aide were shot at the high school in the northern Saskatchewan community. Two brothers were also killed at a home prior to the school shooting.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of attempted murder and unathorized use of a firearm. He was in court Monday.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE: 17-year-old charged in La Loche school shooting appears in court 

Eggen said the shooting could impact certain processes at Alberta schools.

Story continues below advertisement

“We must always learn from these awful tragedies to ensure we always provide the highest level of security and safety in all of our schools across the province,” he said.

The minister was also asked if Alberta might consider any changes based on recommendations to come out of the La Loche shooting.

“We always work together closely with school boards across the province to ensure we’re always updating and revising and reviewing our safety procedures to ensure kids are safe,” Eggen said.

READ MORE: There’s someone with a gun on campus? Escape, hide or use force, video advises 

Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose said she was heartbroken by the tragedy and was grieving alongside those impacted.

“As the country responds to this grief, I’ve told the government that we will be there to do our part in any way that we can.”

Sponsored content

AdChoices