The Nova Scotia shooting begins on April 18th, 2020 in a coastal community called Portapique, Nova Scotia. The perpetrator, a 51 year old man, Gabriel Wortman initially attacked a person known to him before proceeding with a larger scale assault. The victim was able to escape the gunman by hiding overnight in the woods.

Cluster 1, 13 hour rampage across communities

Overnight and into the next day the attacker moved through communities including Wentworth, Debert, Shubenacadie, and Enfield. He targeted a mix of acquaintances and strangers, attacking homes, vehicles, and individuals along rural roads. While the situation was unfolding, the Critical Incident Program was engaged and staging to take control of the critical incident, and perimeters were established. Specialized Units responded including Police Dog Services, Emergency Response Teams and a Department of Natural Resources helicopter. The Explosives Disposal Unit, Crisis Negotiators and the Emergency Medical Response Team were on stand-by. 

RCMP getting involved

The RCMP learned of a possible suspect and that the individual lived in a home in Portapique. The possible suspect’s home and garages were fully engulfed in flames. Two (2) decommissioned police vehicles as well as a third vehicle were also burning on the property. The RCMP learned that the gunman was in possession of a pistol and long barreled weapons. He was known to own several vehicles that looked like police vehicles. 

After 6:30am on April 19, 2020, a victim emerged from hiding after she called 9-1-1. RCMP officers responded and it was at that time that, through a significant key witness, investigators confirmed more details about Gabriel Wortman. This included the fact that he was in possession of a fully marked replica RCMP vehicle and was wearing a police uniform. He was in possession of several firearms that included pistols and long guns.

Cluster 2

Over 11 hours after investigators’ initial arrival in Portapique, the RCMP began receiving a second series of 9-1-1 calls in an area more than 60 km away. The investigation revealed that the gunman attended a residence on Hunter Road in the Wentworth area. At this location the gunman killed two men and one woman, then set the home on fire. Two of the victims inside knew the gunman directly. The gunman continued southbound on highway 4 where he fired at multiple vehicles killing one female driver.

The next police involved shooting took place at the Onslow Belmont Fire Brigade hall after the gunman killed 2 women in Debert. The RCMP officers discharged their weapons at a civilian whom they mistook for the gunman, no one was injured.

Cluster 3

Cst. Chad Morrison and Cst. Heidi Stevenson were both responding to the incident. They were in communication and arranged to meet. Cst. Morrison was waiting for Cst. Stevenson at Highway 2 and Highway 224. What appeared to be a marked RCMP vehicle approached Cst. Morrison. As he and Cst. Stevenson had prearranged to meet at that location. The approaching "Police Vehicle" was being driven by the gunman who immediately opened fire. Cst. Morrison received multiple gunshot wounds and retreated from the area. Cst. Stevenson was already heading northbound as the gunman continued southbound driving his vehicle head-on into Cst. Stevenson's vehicle where a firefight began. Cst. Stevenson lost her life in the encounter and both vehicles were set ablaze. The gunman killed a nearby driver and commandeered their  silver SUV and continued southbound. The gunman stopped at a nearby residence east of highway 224 and killed another woman known to him, changed his clothes and stole her Mazda 3. The gunman traveled southbound on highway 224 where he stopped at a gas station to refuel and happened on two RCMP officers that engaged him in a firefight where the gunman was shot and killed at 11:26 a.m.

Total loss of life and property

In total 23 lives were lost including that of the gunman and one police officer. Multiple homes and vehicles were destroyed during the disaster as a result. it also left lasting emotional, social, and economic scars on communities across Nova Scotia.