Four Dead, Several Injured in Canada School Shooting
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Four people were killed and an alleged shooter was arrested after gunfire erupted at a school in a small town in northern Saskatchewan, Chief Superintendent Maureen Levy of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said late on Friday.
Levy said authorities received a call on Friday saying a weapon had been discharged at La Loche Community School in La Loche. Officers went to the school and arrested a suspect and seized his weapon.
Earlier reports said five people had been killed and two wounded, CNN reported on Saturday.
Police were investigating at two sites, the school and a residence in the town, Levy said. The injured were taken to University Hospital in Saskatoon, she said.
Levy revealed few details and wouldn't give the names of the suspect or victims, whether the shooter and victims were students and what kind of weapon was used, saying the integrity of the investigation had to be protected.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier addressed the nation, saying, "Obviously this is every parent's worst nightmare" and calling it "a terrible, tragic day."
The school provides a prekindergarten to 12th grade education and houses about 900 students in two buildings, the school's Facebook page says. The town has about 2,600 people.
Levy said a lockdown at the school was lifted after several hours.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police and emergency personnel responded to the shooting, according to a Facebook post by Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall.
"Words cannot express my shock and sorrow at the horrific events today in La Loche," he said. "My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims, their families and friends and all the people of the community."
Saskatchewan Education and Social Services will be providing crisis support and counseling services to the school and the community, the premier said.
