Saint John schools prepare for grief and questions from classmates of young homicide victims

Two Saint John schools had extra counsellors on site Friday to help console the classmates of a 10-year-old and 17-year-old found dead on Wednesday and believed by police to be the victims of homicide.

Millidgeville North and Saint John High schools each notified families Thursday of the death a student.

"Although we have limited information about this tragedy, we know this loss is sure to raise many emotions and questions for our entire school, especially our students," said the almost identical notices sent by principals Dennica Edgett and Christina Barrington.

Saint John police found two boys — aged 10 and 17 — dead inside a residence on Skaling Court in Millidgeville Wednesday around 7 a.m., while responding to a 911 call.

Police also found a 46-year-old man with life-threatening injuries, who was taken into custody and transported to hospital, where he remains, said Staff Sgt. Sarah Hobbs.

The man, who was known to the victims, will face two counts of first-degree murder in court at a later date, she said.

Police have not released the names of the accused or victims, disclosed the nature of the relationship between them, or revealed how the boys died.

The notices from Millidgeville North, a school with about 600 students in grades 3 to 8, and Saint John High, a school with more than 1,000 students in grades 9 to 12, do not identify the students who died or mention the nature of their death.

Anglophone South School District spokesperson Jessica Hanlon told CBC News on Thursday she could not "speak in specifics right now.

'Heart-wrenching situation'

"But I will share that whenever one of our school communities experiences a loss or tragedy, we follow crisis response protocols and prioritize student well-being," she said in an emailed statement.

That includes ensuring appropriate supports are in place, such as access to school-based guidance staff, securing additional counsellors for staff and students, co-ordinating mental health resources, and providing educators with guidance on how to support students "during this difficult time," Hanlon said.

On Friday, she declined further comment, saying, "This is a heart-wrenching situation for our school communities and our thoughts and condolences are with the students' family, community, and all those affected by this great loss.

"Our priority today, and in the coming months, is to focus on supporting students and staff."

'Students react differently to situations'

Millidgeville North and Saint John High have "a response plan to help us in this situation," the principals advised families.

"We will have additional guidance supports at the school [Friday] to help with the needs of our students and staff at this difficult time."

While staff were expected to address the sad news with students Friday morning,  the principals suggested parents might want to speak to their children about it.

"Students react differently to situations, and we encourage you to talk to them about how they are feeling," they wrote, directing them to an online guide for parents on students' reactions to loss and tragedy.

"We are deeply saddened by this loss to our school community and will make every effort to help our students at this sensitive and difficult time," the principals said, offering condolences to all those affected by this "great loss."

Teachers caution against rumours

Saint John High teachers were emailed a statement to read to their classes, a copy of which was obtained by CBC News.

"I know we are all saddened to hear of the death of a classmate, and even if you didn't know them, it is normal to have an emotional reaction to hearing this ... It is OK to cry, be angry, or even feel nothing," it said.

Teachers also told students that rumours commonly spread "in situations like this," and urged them to be "mindful and respectful" and not share them.

Rumours "are often untrue and can be deeply hurtful to those who are hurting right now."

In the email that contained the statement to read to student, teachers were advised that they "should not be contributing to conversation, speculation, etc. about this matter" either.

If students ask specific questions, the email said they could respond by saying, "I don't have all the details and it's up to the family what they would like to share with people when they are comfortable sharing it."

Mayor offers condolences to family

Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon, "with a heavy heart," offered her condolences to the family in an online post.

"The loss of two young lives is heart-wrenching for everyone involved. My thoughts are with you, and I stand with our community in support," she wrote.

"The Saint John community is united in offering comfort, strength, and love as we face this tragic event together."

A small memorial, including a bouquet of flowers and a doll of the Mindcraft video game character Steve, has started outside the apartment building where the boys' bodies were discovered Wednesday morning.

At least one marked Saint John Police Force cruiser remained at the scene into Friday evening.

Forensic identification services, the major crime unit and the family protection unit continue to investigate in co-operation with the coroner's office.

Anyone with information can contact Saint John police at 1-506-648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.