The Board of Education from Red Earth Cree Nation has decided to close the school early for the Christmas break because of the police-involved fatal shooting Tuesday morning.

A letter from the Cree Nation’s Director of Education, Fabian Head, says the board understands that the staff and students will react in different ways to the loss of a community member and the situation or circumstance of the event. He notes that they have implemented a plan for responding to this tragic event, which includes helping students and their families get back to regular learning and everyday activities as soon as possible. The letter says the plan evolved from the community’s experience with grief and loss in the past and the advice of mental health professionals, schools and the Prince Albert Grand Council. Teachers and counselors will be briefed and will receive guidelines to talk about grief, loss and trauma and reactions to it when school begins again January 8th.

Carrot River RCMP responded around 3:40 in the morning on Tuesday about a gun being shot on the Cree Nation and found two people who were arrested but haven’t yet been charged. A 25-year-old man was identified as being involved and was located. Police say a gun was shot at patrol vehicles. Officers got out and and altercation occurred. Firearms were discharged and the man from Red Earth Cree Nation was later pronounced dead by EMS at the scene. An officer received non-life-threatening injuries.

The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team is investigating the circumstances of the 25-year-old’s death.