La Loche teen called shooting a ‘scary rush’

Jun 14, 2017 | 12:45 PM

The La Loche teen who went on a shooting spree injuring seven people and killing four, said his actions gave him a “scary rush.” 

A hearing continues today in Meadow Lake provincial as to the culpability of the La Loche teen responsible for the deaths of four people. The youth pleaded guilty in October 2016 to the second-degree murders of brothers Dayne and Drayden Fontaine, and to the first-degree murders of teacher Adam Wood and teacher’s aide Marie Janvier. He also pleaded guilty to seven counts of attempted murder.

The hearing this week is to determine whether the youth will be sentenced as an adult. The youth’s identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, as he was 17-years-old when the shootings took place on Jan. 22, 2016.

The court heard from psychologist Dr. Katelyn Harker who has routinely met with the teen in short sessions since September 2016. She was questioned at length by both Crown and defence attorneys about a report she wrote on the youth’s mental state.

She noted he got a “scary rush” after pulling the trigger, shooting guns “puts the teen in a good mood,” and he views violence as an “acceptable way of dealing with problems.”

Harker said the accused seemed to have some cognitive limitations noting he “seems stressed when he doesn’t understand something, but calms down once an explanation is given.” On occasion she did ask the teen why he did what he did, but she noted he didn’t seem to want to discuss the details. It had been revealed during the first week of hearings, the teen conducted internet searches related to ‘how it feels to take someone’s life.’ Harker thought he possibly just wanted to know what it was like.

Crown prosecutor Lloyd Stang said, even after Harker’s testimony, there still seems to be no clear motive.

“The big question of why this occurred is still outstanding and is still waiting to be understood. Whether we actually get to the understanding of it is still unsure,” he said.

More to come. 

 

Follow: @ReporterKath on Twitter for live updates.

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca