The close-knit community of La Loche, Sask., took back the northern Saskatchewan high school this afternoon after a fatal shooting over a month ago. Hundreds of people walked from downtown, just over one kilometre away, and entered the building as one.

"I could just hear the crying and all the loud students running. It's just really scary," said 16-year-old Kayla Ponicappo, who hid from the shooter inside a classroom.

Amid heightened security and comforting by family, students returned to Ducharme Elementary School in La Loche today following the shootings that killed two employees at a nearby high school and devastated the northern Saskatchewan community.

Teachers returned to the high school in La Loche, Sask., for the first time since two of their colleagues were killed in a shooting there last month.

Northern Saskatchewan communities showed their unity Wednesday night while paying respect to La Loche shooting victim Marie Janvier.