At least 10 people, including one member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have been killed following a shooting in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia on Sunday.
The shooting rampage lasted roughly 12 hours before police were able to stop the shooting suspect, identified as 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman. CBC News reported the rampage began Saturday night and ended around 11:40 a.m. local time.
Const. Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year-member of the RCMP, was among those killed. Another male police officer was reportedly injured and is in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
“Heidi answered the call of duty and lost her life while protecting those she served. Earlier this afternoon I met with Heidi’s family and there are no words to describe their pain,” said Nova Scotia RCMP Assistant Commissioner Lee Bergerman.
Police officials reported they were investigating multiple crime scenes around the rural community of Portapique.
51-year-old Gabriel Wortman is the suspect in our active shooter investigation in #Portapique. There are several victims. He is considered armed & dangerous. If you see him, call 911. DO NOT approach. He’s described as a white man, bald, 6’2-6’3 with green eyes. pic.twitter.com/Y2nJNULlkn
— RCMP, Nova Scotia (@RCMPNS) April 19, 2020
Wortman was described by CBC as a denturist who owned three properties in Portapique and a denture clinic and two other properties in the Halifax area. A motive for the attack remains unclear at this time.
Nova Scotia RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said there may be additional victims in the shooting beyond those initially identified and that his department is still investigating the shootings.
The Nova Scotia RCMP Twitter account reported Wortman may have been disguised as a police officer and driving in what Leather described as a “mockup” of a police vehicle during part of the attack.
#Colchester: Gabriel Wortman may be driving what appears to be an RCMP vehicle & may be wearing an RCMP uniform. There’s 1 difference btwn his car and our RCMP vehicles: the car #. The suspect’s car is 28B11, behind rear passenger window. If you see 28B11 call 911 immediately. pic.twitter.com/yyeOeBt8Ui
— RCMP, Nova Scotia (@RCMPNS) April 19, 2020
The RCMP Nova Scotia account also initially indicated Wortman had been taken into custody before officials later confirmed during the press conference that he was deceased. It was not immediately clear the reason for the discrepancy.
Gabriel Wortman, suspect in active shooter investigation, is now in custody. More information will be released when available. Thank you for your cooperation and support. #Colchester
— RCMP, Nova Scotia (@RCMPNS) April 19, 2020
Witnesses also reported multiple building fires during the shooting incident, according to CBC. It was not immediately clear if the fires had any connection to the shooting event.
