17-Year-Old Suspect Charged With Murder In Canada School Shooting

Four people killed in the La Loche, Canada, school shooting were identified by authorities. Seven others were injured from the Friday shooting.

A 17-year-old was charged with four counts of murder in connection with Friday's deadly school shooting in La Loche, Canada, authorities said.

The teenager is also facing seven counts of attempted murder.

The charges were announced during a press conference Saturday afternoon, where officials with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police also offered some detail into how the tragic event unfolded in the remote village located in the northern part of the Saskatchewan province.

"To have the lives of teachers and these students and staff cut short by this unspeakable horrible event is simply unimaginable," Brad Wall, premier of Saskatchewan, said during the conference.

RCMP officials said authorities responded to the La Loche Community School after reports of gunfire at the campus.

The suspected teenage shooter was taken into custody at gunpoint by RCMP officials. He was not identified because he is a minor.

An adult female was pronounced dead at the scene. An adult male was taken to a hospital where he died.

Seven also suffered gunshot wounds at the school, an RCMP official said at the press conference.

During their investigation, police also discovered an earlier shooting had also occurred at a nearby home, where two people were found dead.

Wall said counselors and other resources would be sent to the province to help the community heal. He planned to travel to the village Sunday as well.

The four victims killed in the shooting were identified as Marie Janvier, 21, Adam Wood, 35, and brothers Dayne and Drayden Fontaine.

Don Herman, an uncle to the Fontaine brothers, confirmed to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) that his nephews had been killed when he visited the La Loche school Saturday morning to pray for his family.

Dayne (left) and Drayden Fontaine

Kevin Janvier told the Associated Press his 23-year-old daughter Marie, a teacher at the school, was among those killed by the gunman.

"He shot two of his brothers at his home and made his way to the school," he told the AP. "I'm just so sad."

Marie Janvier, 23, victim in #LaLoche shooting. "I really can't believe it," says cousin. https://t.co/yFSyRmuvqh

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had said in an earlier press conference from Davos, Switzerland, that five people had been killed and two were in critical condition. The spokeswoman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said she could only confirm four fatalities.

"The country's heart is breaking for La Loche," Trudeau said from Davos, Switzerland. "Police have assured me the situation is under control," Trudeau said.

He did not release any information about the victims, or the suspected shooter.

"On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer the families and friends of the victims our deepest condolences on this darkest of days," Trudeau said in a written statement. "Our hearts and prayers are also with those injured in the attack, that they may have a full and speedy recovery."

La Loche Community School has about 900 students in its two buildings, according to its Facebook page, and teaches pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.

The shooting occurred at the school's Dene high school building, according to the Saskatchewan Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Ducharme Elementary School building was also placed on lockdown.

Noel Desjarlais-Thomas, 16, told the AP his friends were yelling at him, "Run bro, run!"

"There's a shotgun! There's a shotgun," Desjarlais-Thomas told the AP. "They were just yelling to me. And then I was hearing those shots, too, so of course I started running."

The school posted a message on its Facebook page Friday asking people to stay out of the area.

"Words cannot express my shock and sorrow at the horrific events today in La Loche. My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims, their families and friends and all the people of the community," Brad Wall, the premier of Saskatchewan, posted in a message on Facebook.

Several ambulances were dispatched to the area.

"Both Clearwater (River Dene Nation) and La Loche, a lot of people are in shock," Clearwater River Dene Nation Chief Teddy Clark told the newspaper. "This is something that you only see on TV most of the time."

Clark: “Both Clearwater and La Loche, a lot of people are in shock. This is something that you only see on TV most of the time." #yxe

STAR-11 (Saskatoon) has been dispatched for a scene call emergency in the La Loche, SK area.

Wall thanked the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other emergency personnel who responded to the shootings. He added that Saskatchewan Education and Social Services will be available to provide crisis support and counseling services to the school and the community.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates and follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.

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