CNN, by Kristina Sgueglia, Paula Newton, Josh Campbell, and Susannah Cullinane: A gunman killed at least 16 people, including one Mountie, during a weekend shooting rampage in small-town Nova Scotia, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.
The updated death toll does not include the suspected gunman.
“Our important investigational work is continuing. Out of respect for the families who have yet to be notified, we cannot provide any additional information at this time,” said RCMP National Headquarters spokeswoman Catherine Fortin in a statement to CNN.
At a media conference Sunday evening, police described chaos with multiple 911 calls coming in late Saturday at a property in Portapique, Nova Scotia.
“When police arrived at the scene the members located several casualties inside and outside of the home,” RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather told reporters.
Police said they are not certain how many people died or were injured.
The deceased officer was identified as Constable Heidi Stevenson, a mother of two and 23-year veteran of the RCMP. Another officer is in the hospital receiving treatment for non-life threatening injuries he suffered in the incident, the RCMP said on Facebook.
Leather said a search for the suspect lasted overnight and led them to several crime scenes miles apart. The suspect was eventually spotted late Sunday morning at a truck stop.
“The search for the suspect ended this morning when the suspect was located and I can confirm that he is deceased,” said Leather.
Nova Scotia RCMP identified the suspected gunman as Gabriel Wortman, 51. He eluded police for several hours overnight Sunday as fires were reported in many locations in the area.
The manhunt was complicated by the fact that the suspect is believed to have been wearing as least part of what looked to be an RCMP uniform, and may have been driving a vehicle made to look like a police car, Leather said.
“Of course that’s an important element in the investigation, the fact that this individual had a uniform and a police car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act,” Leather said.
As they chased the gunman, police told residents to stay inside and lock their doors, warning that he was considered “armed and dangerous.”
Ontario truck driver Tom Nurani told CNN affiliate CTV News that he was at the truck stop in Enfield where the shooting suspect was arrested when he heard a staff member 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 was four or five uniforms with guns,” Nurani said.
In a statement, Canadian Minister of Public Safety Bill Blair said it was a “truly heartbreaking day for all of Canada.”
“Tragedies like today are horrific and should never happen. I want to share my deepest condolences with all those suffering right now, particularly the families and friends of the many innocent people that were killed,” Blair said. “As families mourn and search for answers, our hearts are broken alongside theirs. We grieve with them.”
Prophetic Link:
“I have been shown that the Spirit of the Lord is being withdrawn from the earth. God’s keeping power will soon be refused to all who continue to disregard His commandments. The reports of fraudulent transactions, murders, and crimes of every kind are coming to us daily. Iniquity is becoming so common a thing that it no longer shocks the senses as it once did.” Last Day Events, page 27.