A devastating school shooting took place at École secondaire de l’Horizon in the small town of La Loche, Quebec, Canada on July 30, 2026. The tragic event occurred when a lone gunman, later identified as 17-year-old student Étienne Gagnon, opened fire in the school cafeteria, injuring 12 people and killing two students, 15-year-old Olivier Tremblay and 17-year-old Gabriel Lévesque. The victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, where they received medical attention.
According to eyewitnesses, the shooting occurred during lunchtime, when students were eating in the cafeteria. Étienne Gagnon, who was reportedly a quiet and reserved student, suddenly pulled out a handgun and began firing at his classmates. Students and staff members quickly responded by evacuating the building and calling the authorities. The police arrived shortly after and apprehended the suspect, who was taken into custody.
The Quebec government has condemned the shooting, and Premier François Legault has announced an investigation into the incident. “This is a terrible tragedy that has shaken our community,” said Legault. “We will do everything in our power to support the families of the victims and to prevent such tragedies from happening again.” The school has been closed until further notice, and counseling services have been made available to students and staff.