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As people across the country look to Tumbler Ridge, B.C. in pain and horror at the school shooting this week, it’s turning the minds of people in Saskatchewan back to the school shooting in this province in 2016.
On Tuesday, nine people died, including the shooter, in a pair of shootings in Tumbler Ridge, a small community in northeastern British Columbia. Two of those people were shot and killed at a home before the suspect proceeded to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, eventually taking her own life.
Twenty-five people were hurt, with two described as having life-threatening injuries by RCMP on Wednesday afternoon.
It’s a recitation of facts that may be all too familiar for people in northern Saskatchewan.
Read more:
- Canadian flags at half-mast as country mourns deaths in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
- Tumbler Ridge newspaper editor says many questions remain unanswered after deadly shootings
- World leaders send condolences to Tumbler Ridge in wake of deadly school shooting
On Jan. 22, 2016, a 17-year-old boy opened fire at a home in La Loche, killing two of his cousins, before going to La Loche Community School’s Dene High School, where a teacher and an assistant were killed and seven others were hurt.
Adam Wood, a teacher at the school; Marie Janvier, a teaching assistant; and brothers Dayne and Drayden Fontaine were killed.
Robert St. Pierre rose to prominence in community leadership after the shooting and was elected mayor of La Loche the following fall. He said it was difficult in the hours and days after the tragedy in La Loche.
“To process it and dealing with the loss of loved ones and the moments just after are just so confusing and you just can’t understand why something tragic like that could happen where others can take another person’s lives,” he explained.
St. Pierre said the community in La Loche really came together after the shooting in 2016.
“We’re all related in one form or another and we’re pretty close. And we’re not a very big population, so when something like that occurs, we certainly have to rely on the loved ones and our circles,” he explained.
Events like what happened in B.C. bring people in La Loche back to what happened in 2016, according to St. Pierre.
“It’s near to our hearts, right, especially a school shooting,” he said.
“It’s what we experienced, what we went through, and I just offer my sincerest condolences to the families that are dealing with this tragedy and sending prayers and love to the community and the members that are dealing with this at this time.”
La Loche continues to move forward, and St. Pierre said they always want the best for people and for good outcomes. He had a few words offers to offer to the people in Tumbler Ridge.
“We’ve got to believe in each other, we’ve got to believe in hope, we’ve got to make sure we have prayers, and just try to understand things that we can’t understand,” he said.
He encouraged anyone who needed to speak to someone to seek the help they need, but for him, he said, his family gave him the strongest support.
The La Loche shooter was sentenced to life in prison with no change at parole for 10 years. He was sentenced as an adult.
Condolences from across the province
Saskatchewan Premier Scott posted to social media a message about the tragedy in B.C., “Horrifying news from Tumbler Ridge, B.C. Our prayers are with the families of the victims, those injured, and everyone in the community.”
Horrifying news from Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
Our prayers are with the families of the victims, those injured, and everyone in the community.
— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) February 11, 2026
Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck said she’s shocked and deeply heartbroken by the shooting and is sending her condolences to those who’ve lost loved ones.
“The people of Saskatchewan stand with Tumbler Ridge for the days and years to come.”
Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski also offered his condolences. In a statement, he said he is heartbroken for the people in the community.
“This is a despicable and senseless tragedy, and our hearts are with the families, students, teachers and everyone impacted. Please know that we stand with you and are sending our deepest sympathies during this devastating time,” wrote Bachynski.
“There are no words to ease this kind of pain.”
