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“He was a normal boy. He was not a monster. He was hurting,” said Herman.

The teen charged in connection with Friday’s shooting is due to appear in court today.

The 17-year-old, who can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, faces four counts of first degree murder, seven counts of attempted murder and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

RCMP say nine people were shot at the La Loche Community school.

“If we had the supports we needed, this would not have happened.” There is profound sadness expressed by La Loche residents at the candlelight vigils, church services, grief circles, hockey arena and local shops.

There is, however, very little obvious anger directed at the accused. “We need to learn from this or it will happen again,” said Herman, who has his own story of being bullied as a gay youth – and says he considered lashing out violently.

“How many murders and suicides do we need?” Herman said all students — whether a bully or the bullied — need more support to learn healthy behaviour.

The lack of psychiatric and other mental health services has been well documented. Others note the shortage of addictions treatment, employment training and other programs in the school and community.

Diocese of Keewatin Le Pas Archbishop Murray Chatlain said the focus should be on prevention, and everyone should ask what role they can play.

“There has been some cutting back of programs these last couple of years that has had a direct effect on our schools and people of La Loche. I think those things need to be revisited. Our cuts sometimes end up costing more,” Chatlain said following a packed mass at Our Lady of Visitation Roman Catholic Church Sunday morning.