Accused in La Loche shooting appears in court as school reopens its doors

The teen accused of killing four people in La Loche, Sask. appeared in court the same day teachers returned to work in the community 600 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. Monday also marked one month since the shootings at a home and the La Loche Community School.

The 17-year-old charged with first-degree murder made his second appearance by video call in Meadow Lake, Sask.

The Crown said it will apply to have the teen, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, sentenced as an adult if found guilty.

FULL COVERAGE: La Loche school shooting

The judge also ruled that a publication ban on the names of the injured victims will continue.

Teacher Adam Wood, teacher’s aide Marie Janvier and brothers Dayne and Drayden Fontaine were killed and seven others wounded on Jan. 22.

At a meeting in La Loche over the weekend, Saskatchewan Education Minister Don Morgan said community members asked for help from the provincial government.

“We don’t want to rush the process, but right now the students are driving it,” Morgan said.

“The students are saying ‘we want to reclaim our school,’ which I think is a really powerful sort of step forward.”

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There’s no scheduled return date for students, but Morgan said elementary students could be in class “later this week.” High school students could be back a few days after that.

Security will be increased, including staff from the Northern Lights School Division and members of the RCMP. An additional 12 teachers from around Saskatchewan will be brought in temporarily to assist teachers in La Loche, Morgan said.

Students will use a different entrance when returning to class, rather than the doors through which a shooter entered on Jan. 22, according to Morgan.

A long-term memorial is also being planned.

Caroline Tait, a medical anthropologist at the University of Saskatchewan, said many in the community face a long recovery from post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues.

“The worst thing that could happen, is there’s this flurry of activity, and then the dust settles, and nothing changes,” Tait said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The worst thing that could happen, is there's this flurry of activity, and then the dust settles, and nothing changes," Tait said.

Ultimately, Tait said it should be up to the people of La Loche to decide the best path towards healing.

The accused is scheduled to make his next appearance April 12 in La Loche.

With files from the Canadian Press