La Loche shooting: 'Release the pain' Community comes together for vigil
Hundreds gathered and prayed at community hall Sunday night
As the sun set on La Loche, Sask., Sunday night, hundreds of people came together for a vigil and prayer.
The La Loche Community Hall was full as a band played on the stage and food was prepared for the mourning community members gathering to support one another.
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The tight-knit community was shaken after four people were killed and seven others were critically injured in shootings on Friday.
"It's every parent's nightmare. I hope we never experience such a thing again," volunteer Cindy Lemaigre said.
The vigil was held during the community's bi-weekly prayer meeting. There isn't usually food at the meeting, but Lemaigre explained many people had returned to the community to grieve.
"It's very helpful for people, like to release the pain and all and for the families, the community to get together and share," she said.
"We are just doing this because there are out of town people, a lot of them. We are just trying to help them in their needs and all of that."
A line of people waited to be blessed by a priest while a band played on stage. Later, people from the community stood up to share their struggles in life.
VIDEO: Inside the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaLoche?src=hash">#LaLoche</a> Community Hall where residents are gathering to mourn together. <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCAlerts">@CBCAlerts</a> <a href="https://t.co/5s5vfqKxrJ">pic.twitter.com/5s5vfqKxrJ</a>
—@Devin_HerouxBiweekly prayer meeting in La Loche. Food served because of the number of people in town to be with family. <a href="https://t.co/CTgEUalXrn">pic.twitter.com/CTgEUalXrn</a>
—@MattKruchakCBCThe Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation also held a vigil in Saskatoon Sunday night.
"Regardless of where we teach or live in our province, the tragic events that occurred this week have had an impact on all of us and we are grieving with students, teachers, the family and friends of the victims and the community," STF president Patrick Maze said in a letter to members.
"As colleagues, our hearts go out to all of the dedicated and passionate teachers of La Loche and Northern Lights School Division."
Two of the victims were staff members of the school: Marie Janvier, 21, was an educational assistant at the school and Adam Wood, 35, was a teacher.