At least 19 people have died in a mass shooting in Nova Scotia, including a veteran RCMP officer. The death toll makes it the worst shooting in Canadian history.
Police say that the death toll could still rise following more investigations of the incident which took place on Saturday night and continued into Sunday.
The shooter was found dead after attempting to disguise himself as a police officer and driving a car that looked similar to an RCMP cruiser, according to CTV News.
On Sunday, a news conference took place in Dartmouth, N.S. and investigators provided information on the incident.
“Today is a devastating day for Nova Scotia and it will remain etched in the minds of many for years to come,” noted commanding RCMP officer Lee Bergerman.
“What has unfolded overnight and into this morning is incomprehensible and many families are experiencing the loss of a loved one.”
Const. Heidi Stevenson is among the victims in the shooting. The 23-year RCMP veteran responded to the scene on Sunday morning.
“Heidi answered the call of duty and lost her life while protecting those she served,” said Bergerman. “Two children have lost their mother and a husband has lost his wife. Parents have lost their daughter and countless others lost an incredible friend and colleague.”
Another RCMP officer had to be taken to hospital though his injuries were non-life threatening.
“He and his family will be supported and we will be alongside him as he begins his road to recovery,” said Bergerman.
Condolences were offered by Premier Stephen McNeil who referred to the incident as “one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province's history.”
The death toll of the incident surpasses the 1989 Polytechnique massacre where 14 people were killed in Montreal.
Police say there could be more victims of the incident because the shooter made his way across the province in what RCMP Chief Supt. Chris Leather called an attack that was “at least in part, very random in nature.”
During the Sunday news conference Leather said it is hard to know the exact number of victims “because as we're standing here, the investigation continues into areas that we have not yet explored across the province.”
Leather said officers found “several casualties” in and around a residence in Portapique, N.S. on Saturday following many calls about a shooter in the area.
The area in Portapique was secured by officers who were unable to locate the man. Portapique is north of Halifax by about 130 km and about 40 km west of Truro. Residents who were already on lockdown due to the pandemic were asked to lock their doors and remain inside.
Several sites in the rural area were searched.
“The search continued overnight and into the morning,” noted Leather. “This morning we actively sought out the suspect through multiple communities throughout Nova Scotia.”
The suspect was identified and officers released his identity by 9 a.m. on Sunday morning. He was 51 years old.
The suspect was driving what looked like an RCMP cruiser and wearing an RCMP uniform.
“That’s an important element of the investigation,” said Leather. “The fact that this individual had a police car and a uniform at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act.”
Police said sightings of the suspect were reported in Debert, Glenholme, Brooksfield and Milfort.
There were “multiple crime scenes” that Leather said had victims “scattered across the province.”
“There are several locations across the province where persons have been killed.”
“He alone moved across the northern part of the province and committed, it would appear, several homicides,” said Leather, adding that the investigation is still in its early stages.
“Some of these crime scenes we’ve not even begun to process … it is an ongoing investigation that could reveal additional details in the coming days.”
“The investigation continues into areas that we’ve not yet explored across the province.” said Leather.
Several burned-out vehicles that seemed to be police cruisers were seen in Shubenacadie, N.S. Somewhere between seven and 10 gunshots were heard by Witnesses.
“I hear the shots and I look out and … there’s a guy running back-and-forth up beside the, what looks to be a police vehicle,” said one witness. “Then after a short bit I saw fire.”
The suspect was eventually tracked to the Irving gas station in Enfield, N.S., located roughly 90 kilometers from Portapique. He was shot and killed there on Sunday morning.
When speaking with CTV News, Tom Nurani, an Ontario truck driver said he was stopped at the Irving station when the incident occurred. He heard one employee shouting.
“She goes, ‘Oh my God, lock the doors, he’s here! And I peek out of the window and I saw some RCMP vehicles and there were four or five uniforms with guns,” said Nurani.
Deon Wells, who lives close by said, “There were multiple, like probably between five or 10 (gunshots). It was steady.”
On Sunday, a statement was issued by the Nova Scotia Teachers Union saying that Lisa McCully, a Debert Elementary school teacher, died in the incident. Colleagues and students knew her “not only as a passionate teacher but as a shining love in their lives.”
In the statement, president Paul Wozney said, “We know that there are many others who died last night whose families are struggling to process what has happened. Their lives are no less precious. They are our neighbours and friends. Their children are our students. We hurt with you all too.”
The suspect is listed in Dartmouth, as a denturist on the website for the Denturist Society of Nova Scotia.
Residents of Portapique say he spent his time at properties there and in Halifax.
David George Crockett, who lives just minutes from the area where 911 calls first began reporting the incident said he once had his teeth fixed by the suspect.
“I'm very surprised,” Crockett said, “I never thought he would do something like that.”
“From what I knew of him, he was quiet, gentle and very easy to talk to .... He was very nice. He kidded around a little bit. He seemed normal, not like someone who would do something like this.”
Tom Taggart, a councilor in the area said, “This is just an absolutely wonderful, peaceful quiet community, and the idea that this could happen in our community is unbelievable.”
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