La Loche shooting: Teen researched guns, spoke of school shooting before killing 4

CONTENT WARNING

“How does it feel to take someone’s life?” is what a 17-year-old gunman looked up online before committing a brazen attack in La Loche leaving four dead and seven others injured in January, 2016. 

A Meadow Lake courtroom heard the graphic details today, May 16 as part of a hearing to determine if the now 18-year-old could either face sentencing as an adult or teen. He cannot be named due to a court-ordered publication ban under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. 

In October the teen pleaded guilty to the first-degree murders of teacher’s aide Marie Janvier, 21, and teacher Adam Wood, 35, as well as second-degree murder in the deaths of brothers Dayne and Drayden Fontaine, who were shot in their home. He also pleaded guilty to seven counts of attempted murder.

Court heard Crown prosecutor Lloyd Stang read from the agreed statement of facts and presented several exhibits which included over 2,000 photographs, 46 victim impact statements, medical records, autopsy reports and witness statements. Surveillance from the school’s closed circuit security camera and the accused’s school records and psychiatric evaluations were also included. Prior to the incident, the youth had no criminal record.

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Court heard the youth’s shooting spree was pre-meditated and cited a conversation the youth had with a friend where he mentioned shooting up the school. 

“Would you believe it’s me?” the youth asked the friend in September, according to Stang. 

Thoughts of the shooting continued right up until the attack Stang said, noting the teen searched the Internet for information on various firearms and school shootings. 

After lunch on Jan. 22, the teen visited the Fontaine brothers’ home and shot 17-year-old Dayne 11 times. Drayden, 13, was shot twice in the face and in his head. Crown showed images of the crime scene which evoked gasps and tears from members of the gallery. 

The teen then left the house to go to the Dene building of the La Loche community school where he shot Wood and Janvier. Police attended shortly afterward as Wood called 911 before his death. 

Crown said as officers arrived on scene, the youth hid in a school bathroom and considered suicide before approaching Mounties to surrender.

“I’m the shooter,” the youth told police.

The maximum youth term for first-degree murder is 10 years in custody. An adult receives an automatic life sentence and, under a new provision for multiple murders, can receive consecutive periods of parole ineligibility of up to 25 years for each victim.

The hearing is expected to continue into the afternoon where Judge Janet McIvor will review victim impact statements and 911 phone calls. 

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter @ReporterKath

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