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Gun threat closes school

Classes have been cancelled in La Loche, Sask., after RCMP say there was a threat of a school shooting one year after a deadly shooting in the community.

Mounties say they received a complaint about a general threat Thursday and an investigation determined it was not legitimate.

No charges have been laid.

"The RCMP takes all threats seriously," said Staff Sgt. Greg Heuer.

"January 22 is on the minds of all La Loche community members, including those at the detachment. It is not lost on all of us the impact potential threats of this nature can have."

Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of the shooting that killed two staff and wounded seven others in the high school. Two teenage brothers were also killed in a nearby home in the remote community.

A student, who was 17 at the time, has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, second-degree murder and attempted murder. He is to be sentenced in the spring.

Mayor Robert St. Pierre said it was in everyone's best interest to close schools Friday in La Loche and nearby Clearwater River Dene Nation.

"This was already a difficult time for La Loche, made even more difficult now with this latest threat," he said.

A private day of remembrance in the community has been planned for Sunday and there are no classes Monday.

The schools are to reopen Tuesday, St. Pierre said.



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