2020 Nova Scotia attacks#Perpetrator

The attacks originated in the rural beachside community of Portapique, {{convert|130|km|mi}} north of Halifax,{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-shooting-rcmp-investigation-press-conference-live-1.5542859|title=Gunman's resemblance to police officer made chase dangerous and complicated, says RCMP|date=April 24, 2020|website=CBC News|access-date=April 24, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424210310/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-shooting-rcmp-investigation-press-conference-live-1.5542859|archive-date=April 24, 2020}}{{Cite news|last1=Stephenson|first1=Mercedes|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6858994/nova-scotia-shootings-gunman-attacked-girlfriend/|title=Nova Scotia shootings began after gunman attacked his girlfriend, sources say|date=April 23, 2020|work=Global News|access-date=April 23, 2020|url-status=live|last2=Armstrong|first2=James|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423203801/https://globalnews.ca/news/6858994/nova-scotia-shootings-gunman-attacked-girlfriend/|archive-date=April 23, 2020}} when Wortman assaulted his partner at their cottage. During the assault, he poured gasoline throughout the cottage and set the residence on fire. Wortman then forced his partner to walk to their nearby warehouse and confined her in the back seat of his replica RCMP cruiser. She was able to escape and hid in the woods until early the next morning. Wortman set the warehouse on fire.{{cite web |last1=Mass Casualty Commission |title=Portapique: April 18–19, 2020, Foundational Document |url=https://masscasualtycommission.ca/files/foundational-documents/COMM0050893.pdf?t=1656741610}}

Beginning at 22:01, a number of Portapique residents called 9-1-1 to report gunshots and several fires.{{cite news|last1=Russell|first1=Andrew|last2=Bell|first2=Stewart|date=April 29, 2020|title=Nova Scotia shooting: A detailed timeline of how the rampage unfolded|publisher=Global News|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6882592/nova-scotia-shooting-detailed-timeline/|access-date=April 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502230102/https://globalnews.ca/news/6882592/nova-scotia-shooting-detailed-timeline/|archive-date=May 2, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last= |date=April 22, 2020 |title=RCMP give new details on timeline of manhunt for N.S. shooter |website=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/rcmp-new-details-timeline-nova-scotia-manhunt-1.5541561 |access-date=April 22, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-killings-what-we-know-what-we-don-t-1.5537918|title=Nova Scotia mass killings: What we know and what we don't know|date=April 19, 2020|access-date=April 19, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420034520/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-killings-what-we-know-what-we-don-t-1.5537918|archive-date=April 20, 2020 |website=CBC News}} Investigative reporting by CBC News's The Fifth Estate found that the first call came from a woman named Jamie Blair, one of the first victims and a neighbour of Wortman. Her husband Greg had confronted Wortman outside their home and was subsequently shot and killed, becoming the first victim of the rampage. Jamie hurriedly ushered her two younger sons into a bedroom and was holding the door shut when Wortman fired multiple rounds through the door, killing her instantly. Wortman then tried to set the house on fire, but was unsuccessful and eventually left. The two boys managed to escape and fled to the home of a neighbour, Lisa McCully, who lived directly across the street from Wortman. A third son of the Blairs, who was not present at the time, said he believed Wortman targeted his father first because Greg Blair owned rifles and would have been able to stop the gunman.

At about 22:05, Wortman reportedly returned to his burning house and killed McCully, who had mistaken him for an RCMP officer responding to the fire.{{cite news|url=https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/nova-scotia-shooting-13-deadly-hours|title=13 deadly hours|publisher=CBC News|last1=McMillan|first1=Elizabeth|last2=Mayor|first2=Lisa|date=November 22, 2020|access-date=November 23, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7514276/nova-scotia-shooting-victim-families-struggle-heal/|title=Emotional aftermath: families of victims in Nova Scotia shooting struggle to heal|publisher=Global News|last1=Leffler|first1=Brennan|last2=Lord|first2=Ross|date=December 12, 2020|access-date=December 14, 2020}} McCully's children took in the two Blair sons, and together they hid for several hours while on the phone with 9-1-1 waiting to be rescued. From then on, Wortman continued his rampage throughout Portapique, entering several of his neighbours' homes and shooting indiscriminately at anyone he came across. He deliberately set fire to some of the victims' houses.

At 22:10, two of Wortman's neighbours drove to his house to investigate the fire while calling 9-1-1. Along the way, they passed by the house of Dawn and Frank Gulenchyn, whom Wortman had already shot and killed, and noticed what appeared to be a police car parked in front with its roof lights off. After confirming Wortman's house was on fire, the two drove back and encountered the same police car fleeing the scene of another house fire. As they pulled alongside the vehicle, Wortman fired at them with a handgun, hitting the driver in the shoulder before the latter drove away.

When the first three RCMP officers arrived on the scene at 22:26, they slowly entered the neighbourhood on foot, eventually finding some of the victims.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/rcmp-share-maps-showing-n-s-gunman-s-movements-during-rampage-1.5543733|title=RCMP share maps showing N.S. gunman's movements during rampage|date=April 24, 2020|website=CBC News|access-date=April 25, 2020}}{{Cite news|last=Anderson|first=Scott|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/novia-scotia-911-call-1.5546299|title=RCMP have not disclosed when first 911 call came in about N.S. mass shooting|date=April 27, 2020|work=CBC News|access-date=April 27, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428045815/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/novia-scotia-911-call-1.5546299|archive-date=April 28, 2020}} Police said many had died while trying to escape flames or to help other victims.{{cite news|last=Tasker|first=John Paul|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/nova-scotia-tick-tock-murder-rampage-1.5539000|title='Those scars will never heal': piecing together a gunman's murderous rampage in Nova Scotia|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=CBC News}} Some of the victims were not discovered until many hours later.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/family-nova-scotia-shootings-1.5814403|title=RCMP took 19 hours to find parents, daughter killed in Nova Scotia mass shooting in April|publisher=CBC News|last=McMillan|first=Elizabeth|date=November 26, 2020|access-date=November 27, 2020}} One officer reported by radio that they could not locate the shooter and that "it's very bad, what's going on down here".{{cite news|last=Gatehouse|first=Jonathon|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/nova-scotia-shooting-manhunt-details-1.5542025|title='They don't know if they've caught him': Recordings reveal chaos of Nova Scotia manhunt|date=April 22, 2020|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=CBC News}} The Fifth Estate reported that the first responding officers were "overwhelmed" and called for assistance in locating or engaging the shooter.

First responders also found the neighbours whom Wortman shot at, who identified him by name and said he had gone towards the beach. They noted that there was another unmapped exit from the neighbourhood. They told the officers that Wortman was wearing a uniform and was driving in a replica police vehicle, which was also previously reported by several 9-1-1 calls.

At 23:32, the RCMP posted a tweet saying it was dealing with a "firearms complaint"; it asked residents of the Portapique area to stay inside with their doors locked, as officers set up a search perimeter of {{convert|2|km|mi}}. Overnight, there was still confusion as to whether Wortman had been apprehended and if he was the driver of the apparent police car.{{cite news|last=Nardi|first=Christopher|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/nova-scotia-schooter-gabriel-wortman-had-a-domestic-dispute-with-girlfriend-before-going-on-a-killing-spree|title=N.S. mass murderer's uniform, cruiser let him kill at will. He looked like one of us, RCMP say|date=April 24, 2020|access-date=April 24, 2020|newspaper=National Post}}{{cite news|last1=Levinson-King|first1=Robin|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52373798|title=Nova Scotia shooting: 'They had no idea the hell they were going to face'|date=April 24, 2020|access-date=April 25, 2020|last2=Murphy|first2=Jessica|website=BBC News}}{{cite news|last=Cecco|first=Leyland|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/24/nova-scotia-shooting-gabriel-wortman-replica-police-cruiser-girlfriend|title=Nova Scotia gunman used fake police cruiser to flag down victims|date=April 24, 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=April 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426035403/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/24/nova-scotia-shooting-gabriel-wortman-replica-police-cruiser-girlfriend|archive-date=April 26, 2020|url-status=live}} At the time, the RCMP was unable to use a helicopter to assist in the manhunt because their only Atlantic-based helicopter was unavailable due to routine maintenance.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7453448/nova-scotia-shooting-gunman-escape/|title=RCMP theory of when Nova Scotia gunman escaped scene of first killings has changed|publisher=Global News|last1=Hill|first1=Brian|last2=Ritchie|first2=Sarah|last3=Kress|first3=Alex|date=November 11, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2020}}

The RCMP later determined that Wortman had left Portapique at around 22:45, 19 minutes after police first responded, by taking a dirt road along a blueberry field, which the officers had not blocked off. After escaping, he spent the night parked behind a welding shop in the Debert area, about {{convert|26|km|mi}} east of Portapique.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-rcmp-news-conference-update-investigation-mass-shooting-gunman-22-victims-1.5547738|title=N.S. gunman drove across field, spent 6 hours hiding out in Debert to evade police|date=April 28, 2020|work=CBC News|access-date=April 28, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429013320/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-rcmp-news-conference-update-investigation-mass-shooting-gunman-22-victims-1.5547738|archive-date=April 29, 2020}}{{Cite news|last=Wynne|first=Eric|url=https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/news/local/replay-nova-scotia-rcmp-provide-update-on-mass-shooting-investigation-443200/|title=REPLAY: Nova Scotia RCMP provide update on mass shooting investigation|date=April 28, 2020|work=The Chronicle Herald|access-date=April 28, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503201457/https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/news/local/replay-nova-scotia-rcmp-provide-update-on-mass-shooting-investigation-443200/|archive-date=May 3, 2020}} There, he left behind police equipment and gun-related items in a ditch on the property of a resident he knew.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-gunman-debert-property-1.5549790|title=A Debert man 'had a feeling' N.S. gunman stayed on his property. He was right|publisher=CBC News|last=Ryan|first=Haley|date=April 29, 2020|access-date=May 26, 2020}} At some point later, the RCMP's Emergency Response Team responded to the Portapique attacks. Before then, residents reported seeing little to no law enforcement presence in the area, despite seeing fires and making 9-1-1 calls to report gunshots.

By 01:00, the RCMP had circulated internal bulletins to police agencies across Nova Scotia, identifying Wortman as a suspect who was "armed and dangerous" and associated with "an old white police car". At 05:43, Wortman left Debert and drove north on Highway 4 to a house whose residents he knew, located on Hunter Road in Wentworth, approximately {{convert|37|km|mi}} north of Portapique. He arrived at around 06:30 and shortly thereafter killed the two occupants and their two dogs. Wortman remained at the house for about three hours; what he did during that time is unclear.

At around that time, police located Wortman's spouse in Portapique; she had fled to a neighbour's home to call 9-1-1 since Wortman had smashed her cellphone. She was barefoot and claimed to have been hiding outdoors for much of the night. She confirmed that he was impersonating a police officer and provided a photo of his replica police vehicle. A BOLO alert containing this updated information was issued to officers across the province at around 08:00, warning Wortman "could be anywhere" in Nova Scotia. The RCMP publicly announced that they were dealing with an active shooter situation in Portapique at 08:02.{{cite news|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2020/04/nova-scotia-shooting-gabriel-wortman-kills-16-including-police-officer-in-canadas-deadliest-shooting-attack.html|title=Nova Scotia shooting: Gabriel Wortman kills 16 including police officer in Canada's deadliest shooting attack|date=April 19, 2020|access-date=April 19, 2020|website=MassLive}} Wortman was publicly identified as the suspect at 08:54.

Wortman eventually set the house on fire where he had stayed. As he left, he killed a neighbour who had been out for a walk who saw the fire and tried to help. Wortman began driving south on Highway 4 back toward Portapique at 09:23. At 09:35, he shot and killed another victim, a woman who was walking on the side of the road in Wentworth Valley. At around 09:45, armed and still dressed in a police uniform, he went to another house in Glenholme whose residents he knew. But, the couple recognized him and refused to let him in; the man armed himself with a 12-gauge shotgun to deter Wortman's entry.{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Jennifer |date=2022-03-31 |title="I'm going to blow his fucking head off": A Glenholme couple's close call with a mass murderer |url=http://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/mass-casualty-commission/im-going-to-blow-his-fucking-head-off-a-glenholme-couples-close-call-with-a-mass-murderer/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Halifax Examiner |language=en-CA}}

Wortman tried to trick them into thinking he was an officer and involved in the manhunt. He called out his own name and shouted, "Come out with your hands up," but the couple called the police and he left.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7514665/witness-describes-nova-scotia-killers-disturbing-ruse/|title='Come out with your hands up.' Witness describes Nova Scotia killer's disturbing ruse|publisher=Global News|last=MacDonald|first=Michael|date=December 10, 2020|access-date=December 14, 2020}} By 09:48, Wortman was seen near a campground in Glenholme.

Before 10:00, in Debert, Wortman performed two traffic stops on random cars a few hundred metres apart and killed their occupants. At 10:08, he was seen travelling through Debert and Onslow. In a tweet posted at 10:17, the RCMP for the first time warned the public that Wortman was impersonating a police officer and shared the photo of his vehicle.{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/a-timeline-of-the-deadly-shooting-incident-in-nova-scotia-1.4902954|title=A timeline of the deadly shooting incident in Nova Scotia|last1=Neustaeter|first1=Brooklyn|last2=Lopez-Martinez|first2=Melissa|date=April 19, 2020 |website=CTV News|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420053707/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/a-timeline-of-the-deadly-shooting-incident-in-nova-scotia-1.4902954|archive-date=April 20, 2020|access-date=April 19, 2020}}{{cite news|last=Jerrett|first=Andrea|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/nova-scotia-shooting-suspect-shot-and-killed-by-police-1.4902687|title=At least 18 people killed in N.S. shooting; deadliest such attack in Canada: police|date=April 19, 2020|access-date=April 19, 2020 |website=CTV News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/rcmp-weapon-lockdown-portapique-1.5537598|title=RCMP officer among the dead after Nova Scotia gunman's rampage|date=April 19, 2020|access-date=April 19, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419130936/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/rcmp-weapon-lockdown-portapique-1.5537598|archive-date=April 19, 2020 |website=CBC News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/n-s-shooter-handcuffed-assaulted-his-girlfriend-before-mass-killing-1.4908549|title=N.S. shooter handcuffed, assaulted his girlfriend before mass killing|website=CTV News|last1=Battis|first1=Todd|last2=Cousins|first2=Ben|last3=Flanagan|first3=Ryan|date=April 23, 2020|access-date=April 23, 2020}} At the Onslow-Belmont fire hall (set up as a shelter for victims from Portapique), two RCMP officers mistook an emergency management officer for Wortman and opened fire without warning. They missed their target and continued their manhunt without checking on the occupants of the fire hall.{{Cite web |last=McMillan |first=Elizabeth |date=11 April 2022 |title=Mountie who shot at fire hall had 'no doubt' N.S. gunman was outside |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/onslow-belmont-fire-hall-shooting-amid-hunt-for-manhun-1.6415529 |website=cbc.ca}} Wortman was recorded on surveillance video passing through Truro at around 10:20, and then Millbrook First Nation at 10:25. He briefly stopped in a parking lot to exchange his jacket for a reflective vest.{{Cite news|last=Boynton|first=Sean|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6855907/nova-scotia-mass-shooting-new-video/|title=Video appears to show Nova Scotia shooting suspect stop, change clothes amid killing spree|date=April 22, 2020|publisher=Global News|access-date=April 22, 2020}}

Sometime before 10:49, Wortman pulled alongside RCMP constable Chad Morrison's cruiser at the intersection of Route 2 and Route 224 in Shubenacadie, about {{convert|50|km|mi|-1}} from Debert. Morrison had planned to meet fellow officer Heidi Stevenson at that location. Wortman shot into the car with a handgun, injuring Morrison, who fled down Route 2 and took shelter at an empty paramedic station. He was later found by paramedics and was transported to hospital.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/rcmp-chad-morrison-injured-gunman-portapique-1.5716958|title=How an RCMP officer escaped and survived after being shot by the N.S. gunman|publisher=CBC News|last=McMillan|first=Elizabeth|date=September 22, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2020}}

Wortman drove less than {{convert|500|m|ft|sigfig=2}} south into the junction with Route 224 and collided head-on with Officer Stevenson, who was driving north.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-killings-shooting-community-reaction-1.5538181|title=Death toll from Nova Scotia gunman's rampage climbs to 19|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421083535/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-killings-shooting-community-reaction-1.5538181|archive-date=April 21, 2020|website=CBC News}}{{cite news|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/nova-scotia-mountie-saved-lives-by-stopping-mock-police-car-union-1.4911925|title=Nova Scotia Mountie saved lives by stopping mock police car: union|website=CTV News|last1=Bissett|first1=Kevin|last2=Bresge|first2=Adina|date=April 25, 2020|access-date=April 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425222837/https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/nova-scotia-mountie-saved-lives-by-stopping-mock-police-car-union-1.4911925|archive-date=April 25, 2020|url-status=live}} Stevenson engaged Wortman; he returned fire and killed her. Immediately after, he stole her sidearm and remaining ammunition before setting both cars on fire.{{cite news|last1=Donkin|first1=Karissa|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/investigation-firearms-ns-shooting-1.5544180|title=Some of N.S. gunman's weapons came from U.S., police say|website=CBC News|date=April 24, 2020|access-date=April 24, 2020}}

File:Big Stop in Enfield, Nova Scotia.jpg truck stop in Enfield where the perpetrator Gabriel Wortman was killed]]

Wortman shot and killed a nearby motorist who had stopped to help Stevenson, and drove off in the victim's silver Ford Escape SUV. Police announced the vehicle change at 11:06. Shortly thereafter, Wortman killed a woman he knew at her Shubenacadie home. He changed clothes again and stole her Mazda 3 to drive away. By 11:24, he was spotted continuing south along Highway 102 through Milford.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52346447|title=Canada shooting: Gunman kills at least 18 in Nova Scotia|date=April 19, 2020|access-date=April 19, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419211041/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52346447|archive-date=April 19, 2020|website=BBC News}}{{cite news|last1=McMillan|first1=Elizabeth|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/gunman-restrained-girlfriend-stole-victim-vehicle-ns-1.5543194|title=Girlfriend of N.S. gunman was among his victims, but she survived|date=April 23, 2020|access-date=April 23, 2020|website=CBC News|last2=Hounsell|first2=Kayla}}

Over thirteen hours after police began pursuing him, at 11:26 a.m., Wortman stopped to refuel at the Irving Big Stop service area in Enfield, {{convert|92|km|mi}} south of Portapique and {{convert|40|km|mi}} north of Halifax. Two RCMP officers arrived, one drawing his firearm as he exited the vehicle, immediately aiming at Wortman inside the car. Wortman raised Stevenson's sidearm to his head and fired; the officers fatally shot him.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7528895/rcmp-nova-scotia-shooting-charges/|title=RCMP officers who killed Nova Scotia gunman will not face criminal charges|publisher=Global News|last1=Hill|first1=Brian|last2=Ritchie|first2=Sarah|date=December 17, 2020|access-date=December 18, 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Ryan |first=Haley |date=April 13, 2022 |title=How police finally ended the N.S. gunman's 13-hour rampage |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/enfield-gas-station-mass-shooting-nova-scotia-inquiry-police-gunshots-1.6418342 |work=CBC News}}{{cite news|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/mere-coincidence-n-s-gunman-killed-after-mounties-pull-up-at-gas-pump-next-to-him-1.5236301|title='Mere coincidence': N.S. gunman killed after Mounties pull up at gas pump next to him|publisher=CTV News|date=December 17, 2020|access-date=December 18, 2020}}

One officer discharged his rifle 11 times, the other one discharged his pistol 12 times. The shooter was struck twice in the head, twice in the neck, seven times in the right arm, once in the left arm, and had 25 wounds to his torso.{{Cite web |last=Bureau |first=Steve McKinley Halifax |date=2022-04-13 |title=N.S. mass killer may have shot himself as police closed in, public inquiry says |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/n-s-mass-killer-may-have-shot-himself-as-police-closed-in-public-inquiry-says/article_d6e34182-bddf-5bea-a8d7-ea872d5c83a8.html |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}}

Wortman's death was confirmed by police at 11:40 a.m. According to a partially redacted document, Wortman's spouse said he had been on his way to Halifax to "get" someone before he was killed. Local authorities went to a residence to provide protection for its two occupants.{{cite news|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/new-information-suggests-n-s-killer-had-tremendous-fire-power-and-other-possible-targets-1.5224157|title=New information suggests N.S. killer had 'tremendous fire power' and other possible targets|publisher=CTV News|last=Petracek|first=Heidi|date=December 9, 2020|access-date=December 14, 2020}}

{{Quote box

| title = List of victims (by location)

| quote = {{Plainlist|1=

Portapique

• Greg Blair
• Jamie Blair
• Joy Bond
• Peter Bond
• Corrie Ellison
• Dawn Gulenchyn
• Frank Gulenchyn
• Lisa McCully
• Jolene Oliver
• Joanne Thomas
• Aaron Tuck
• Emily Tuck
• John Zahl

Wentworth

• Tom Bagley
• Lillian Campbell
• Sean McLeod
• Alanna Jenkins

Debert

• Kristian Beaton (plus her unborn child)
• Heather O'Brien

Shubenacadie

• Gina Goulet
• Cst. Heidi Stevenson
• Joey Webber

}}

}}

Wortman killed 22 people, including Constable Heidi Stevenson. The other officer he shot, Constable Chad Morrison, survived, as did the man he shot in Portapique who first reported his possible use of a police car.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/portapique-shooting-memorials-april-21-1.5539894|title=22 victims confirmed dead in N.S. mass shooting|publisher=CBC News|first=Taryn|last=Grant|date=April 21, 2020|access-date=April 21, 2020}}{{Cite news|last1=Quon|first1=Alexander|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6838880/rcmp-active-shooter-portapique-n-s/|title=17 dead, including one RCMP officer, after shooting spree in Portapique, N.S.|date=April 19, 2020|access-date=April 19, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419202613/https://globalnews.ca/news/6838880/rcmp-active-shooter-portapique-n-s/|archive-date=April 19, 2020 |work=Global News|last2=Stephenson|first2=Mercedes}} Wortman tied up and injured his partner before she escaped at the start of the rampage. Thirteen of the dead were found in Portapique, four in Wentworth, two in Debert, and three in Shubenacadie. They are believed to have died from gunshot wounds. Eight of the victims were found in the remains of structure fires.{{cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/shooter-in-n-s-mass-killing-had-multiple-pieces-of-police-uniforms-rcmp-1.4915235|title=Shooter in N.S. mass killing had 'multiple pieces of police uniforms': RCMP|publisher=CTV News|last=Cousins|first=Ben|date=April 28, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428230517/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/shooter-in-n-s-mass-killing-had-multiple-pieces-of-police-uniforms-rcmp-1.4915235|archive-date=April 28, 2020|url-status=live}} Wortman also killed two dogs and injured two others.{{Cite news |last=Ryan |first=Haley |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/dogs-of-nova-scotia-mass-shooting-victims-survive-1.5539384 |title=Nova Scotia vet saves dog belonging to friend who died in mass shooting |work=CBC News |date=April 21, 2020 |access-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429121211/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/dogs-of-nova-scotia-mass-shooting-victims-survive-1.5539384 |archive-date=April 29, 2020 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Farnell |first=Leigha |url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/second-dog-injured-in-deadly-n-s-shooting-recovering-from-gunshot-wounds-with-family-1.4908572 |title=Second dog injured in deadly N.S. shooting recovering from gunshot wounds with family |work=CTV News |date=April 23, 2020 |access-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427233845/https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/second-dog-injured-in-deadly-n-s-shooting-recovering-from-gunshot-wounds-with-family-1.4908572 |archive-date=April 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}

According to RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki, some of Wortman's first victims were closely connected to him, but over time, those he attacked were selected more at random. The Globe and Mail reported that one of the victims in Wentworth had previously gone hunting with Wortman, while CBC News reported that another victim owned the property in Portapique that was subject to a dispute between Wortman and his uncle.{{Cite news|last=Donkin|first=Karissa|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/portapique-property-dispute-1.5542739|title=Victim of N.S. mass shooting owned a property involved in dispute between suspect, his uncle|date=23 April 2020|website=CBC News|access-date=23 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424025555/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/portapique-property-dispute-1.5542739|archive-date=April 24, 2020}}

{{Infobox criminal

| image =

| caption =

| name = Gabriel Wortman

| birth_date = {{birth date|1968|7|5}}

| birth_place = Hamilton, Ontario, Canada{{cite news |title='I was scared to death of him': How red flags were raised over the Nova Scotia killer before April's massacre |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-i-was-scared-to-death-of-him-how-the-nova-scotia-gunman-raised-red/ |access-date=7 December 2023 |work=The Globe and Mail |date=5 July 2020 |language=en-CA}}{{cite news |last1=Bilefsky |first1=Dan |last2=Porter |first2=Catherine |last3=Austen |first3=Ian |title=Police Seek Motive for Canada Killing Spree by Denture Fitter |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/world/canada/nova-scotia-shooting-gabriel-wortman.html |access-date=7 December 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=20 April 2020}}

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2020|04|19|1968|7|5}}

| death_place = Enfield, Nova Scotia, Canada

| death_cause = Gunshot wounds

| occupation = Denturist

}}

The RCMP identified the perpetrator as 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman,{{cite web|url=https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Wortman-Assault-conviction.pdf|access-date=April 24, 2020|date=April 21, 2020|work=Halifax Examiner|title=Wortman assault conviction document (2002)}}{{cite web|url=https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/featured/there-are-22-victims-in-the-weekend-murder-spree/|title=There are 22 victims in the weekend murder spree|access-date=April 24, 2020|date=April 21, 2020|work=Halifax Examiner|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423024539/https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/featured/there-are-22-victims-in-the-weekend-murder-spree/|archive-date=April 23, 2020|url-status=live}} a denturist who operated two clinics in Halifax and Dartmouth, and who owned real estate in Halifax, Dartmouth, and Portapique.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/20/nova-scotia-shooting-gunman-profile-quiet-gentle-denturist|title=Nova Scotia shooting: shock and surprise at killings by denturist|first=Leyland|last=Cecco|date=April 19, 2020|access-date=April 19, 2020|website=The Guardian}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-shooting-warrant-unseal-1.5552437|title=CBC applying to unseal information used to obtain search warrants in N.S. shooting|publisher=CBC News|last=McMillan|first=Elizabeth|date=May 4, 2020|access-date=May 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505092304/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-shooting-warrant-unseal-1.5552437|archive-date=May 5, 2020|url-status=live}} His estate, which consisted of six properties and three corporations, was valued at {{CAD|2.1|link=yes}}{{nbsp}}million.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7536120/nova-scotia-mass-killer-estate-value/|title=Estate of Nova Scotia mass killer Gabriel Wortman valued at $2.1 million|publisher=Global News|last=Tutton|first=Michael|date=December 21, 2020|access-date=December 21, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-mass-killer-gabriel-wortman-estate-value-1.5851072|title=Estate of Nova Scotia mass killer valued at $2.1M|publisher=CBC News|last=Tutton|first=Michael|date=December 21, 2020|access-date=December 22, 2020}} Wortman had been normally living above his Dartmouth clinic, but he owned a cottage in Portapique beginning in 2004.{{cite news |last=McMillan |first=Elizabeth |date=December 4, 2020 |title=Common-law spouse among 3 charged with giving N.S. shooter ammunition |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/spouse-portapique-gunman-lisa-banfield-charges-ammunition-1.5828411 |access-date=December 4, 2020 |publisher=CBC News}} He had a close friendship and business association with a former Fredericton lawyer who died in November 2009 and left him all of his possessions, including one of the rifles used in the attacks.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7578586/to-my-dear-friend-gabriel-wortman-how-the-nova-scotia-killer-got-his-guns-and-wealth/|title='To my dear friend Gabriel Wortman': How the Nova Scotia killer got his guns and wealth|publisher=Global News|last1=Ritchie|first1=Sarah|last2=Kress|first2=Alex|last3=Hill|first3=Brian|date=January 18, 2021|access-date=February 3, 2021}} Wortman did not have a possession and acquisition licence, which would have been needed to legally possess the rifle.

After the attacks, the decorative signs on Wortman's denture clinic on Portland Street in Dartmouth, portraying a large smile and a set of dentures, were the subject of complaints from the public. In response, Halifax Regional Police removed the signs on April 22.{{cite news |last1=April |first1=Allan |title=Police remove teeth, signage from denture clinic owned by N.S. shooter |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/article/police-remove-teeth-signage-from-denture-clinic-owned-by-ns-shooter/ |website=CTV News |date=April 22, 2020 |access-date=April 22, 2020}} The building was demolished in January 2022.{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=Elizabeth |title=Demolition of downtown Dartmouth building welcomed as part of 'healing process' |url=https://signalhfx.ca/demolition-of-downtown-dartmouth-building-welcomed-as-part-of-healing-process |access-date=2 July 2022 |publisher=The Signal |date=10 January 2022}}

Wortman had previously pleaded guilty to assault in 2002 and was sentenced to nine months of probation, in which he was prohibited from possessing weapons and ordered to undergo anger management counselling.{{cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/n-s-rcmp-say-they-were-in-process-of-preparing-alert-when-gunman-was-killed-1.4906672|title=N.S. RCMP say they were 'in process' of preparing alert when gunman was killed|website=CTV News|last=Flanagan|first=Ryan|date=April 22, 2020|access-date=April 22, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-shooting-suspect-criminal-record-1.5541176|title=Suspect in N.S. killings didn't have criminal record, but previously pleaded guilty to a crime|website=CBC News|last=Donkin|first=Karissa|date=April 22, 2020|access-date=April 22, 2020}}

Wortman was also involved in two civil lawsuits regarding property disputes, according to interviews and public records. In 2004, he offered to help a friend who had financial difficulties and was about to lose his house. Wortman then discreetly took ownership of the house, evicted the man, and sold the property. In 2015, Wortman's uncle lent him a house that he purchased in Portapique while selling his Edmonton condominium. Wortman refused to release the property back to him, claiming he was owed money, until the uncle eventually sold it; one of the buyers later became a victim in the killings.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6846920/nova-scotia-killer-financial-practices/|title='He stole my house': Nova Scotia killer had history of dubious financial practices|work=Global News|last1=Bell|first1=Stewart|last2=Russell|first2=Andrew|date=April 21, 2020|access-date=April 21, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6878115/nova-scotia-shooting-killer-history-disputes/|title=Nova Scotia gunman was involved in several disputes before shooting, RCMP says|publisher=Global News|last=Bell|first=Stewart|date=April 28, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430173138/https://globalnews.ca/news/6878115/nova-scotia-shooting-killer-history-disputes/|archive-date=April 30, 2020|url-status=live}}

Witnesses described Wortman as paranoid, manipulative, and controlling.{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-new-details-about-ns-mass-shooting-revealed-in-court-documents/|title=New details about N.S. mass shooting revealed in court documents|publisher=The Globe and Mail|last=Mercer|first=Greg|date=May 25, 2020|access-date=May 26, 2020}} According to Wortman's uncle, Wortman and his mother were abused by his father, a chronic petty thief who liked to manipulate the system to avoid paying money and that Wortman may have learned those habits from him.{{cite news|url=https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/news/local/the-making-of-nova-scotias-mass-killer-533404/|title=The making of Nova Scotia's mass killer|publisher=The Chronicle Herald|last=Rankin|first=Andrew|date=December 21, 2020|access-date=December 22, 2020}} A cousin described Wortman as "almost a career criminal" who did "a lot of stuff but never got caught."{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7348914/nova-scotia-shooting-gunman-mindset-court-docs/|title='Preparing for the end': Mindset of Nova Scotia gunman described in court docs|publisher=Global News|last1=Russell|first1=Andrew|last2=Hill|first2=Brian|date=September 21, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2020}} A neighbour said Wortman was obsessed with his spouse and tended to be "jealous about things with her". Residents were suspicious that Wortman was stockpiling gasoline and propane tanks, and they reported hearing him brag about having lime and muriatic acid to dispose of bodies.

Neighbours also said that Wortman struggled with alcohol use and his business was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced all non-essential denturist services in Nova Scotia to close. According to his spouse, Wortman, who took her across Nova Scotia in the hours before the attacks, had been "consumed" by the pandemic for weeks and believed he was going to die. He was also fearful that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would begin controlling money, which prompted him to make hefty bank withdrawals.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/portapique-mass-shooting-unsealed-court-documents-1.5732994|title=Spouse witnessed N.S. gunman torching their cottage, court documents say|publisher=CBC News|last=McMillan|first=Elizabeth|date=September 21, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2020}} Additionally, Wortman communicated with an acquaintance via email about how other people were not prepared for it and how he was "well-armed" in advance.{{cite news|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-s-mass-shooter-wrote-about-being-well-armed-for-the-pandemic-1.5191053|title=N.S. mass shooter wrote about being 'well-armed' for the pandemic|publisher=CTV News|last=Petracek|first=Heidi|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=November 20, 2020}}

According to his yearbook, Wortman aspired to become a police officer.{{cite web|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/just-unbelievable-neighbours-of-nova-scotia-shooting-suspect-shocked-by-news-1.4903021|title='Just unbelievable': Neighbours of Nova Scotia shooting suspect shocked by news|date=April 19, 2020|website=CTV News|language=en|access-date=April 20, 2020|last=Frisko|first=Bruce}} However, his partner informed police after the attacks that Wortman disliked law enforcement and "thought he was better than them".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/19/nova-scotia-shooting-gunman-fake-car-rcmp|title=Nova Scotia police under scrutiny as new details of shooting response revealed|work=The Guardian|last=Cecco|first=Leyland|date=May 19, 2020|access-date=May 24, 2020}} He had a hobby of buying law enforcement memorabilia and refurbishing old police cruisers.{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-nova-scotia-mass-shooter-was-a-denturist-with-an-obsession-for/|title=Nova Scotia mass shooter was a denturist with an obsession for policing|work=The Globe and Mail|last1=Woo|first1=Andrew|last2=Mercer|first2=Greg|date=April 19, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420055810/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-nova-scotia-mass-shooter-was-a-denturist-with-an-obsession-for/|archive-date=April 20, 2020|url-status=live}} At the time of the attacks, he was in possession of four such cruisers. Police found two of them on fire at his Portapique property and a third at his Halifax property, while Wortman initially drove the fourth during the attacks. One person called Wortman's home a "shrine" for the RCMP. He stored two of the vehicles behind his denture clinic.{{cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/what-we-know-about-the-nova-scotia-rampage-suspect-1.4903920|title=What we know about the Nova Scotia rampage suspect|website=CTV News|last=Bogart|first=Nicole|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2020}}

According to a businessman in Dieppe, Wortman inquired about buying a decommissioned RCMP cruiser from him in 2017 or 2018, claiming to be a retired officer who wanted to park the vehicle outside his house to deter thieves. For price reasons, he did not buy it.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia-killer-fake-cruiser-1.5543176|title=Nova Scotia gunman didn't hide his fake RCMP cruiser — even from police, says ex-boss|website=CBC News|last=Gatehouse|first=Jonathon|date=April 23, 2020|access-date=April 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424025555/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia-killer-fake-cruiser-1.5543176|archive-date=April 24, 2020|url-status=live}} A witness claimed Wortman tended to dress up in a police uniform and role-play.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-killing-nova-scotia-search-warrant-1.5575059|title=Unsealed court document reveals N.S. gunman called a 'psychopath' by witness who knew him|publisher=CBC News|last=McMillan|first=Elizabeth|date=May 19, 2020|access-date=May 24, 2020}}

On at least four occasions police were alerted to the gunman's behaviour. In 2001, he reportedly assaulted a 15-year-old boy.{{Cite web|title=Nova Scotia gunman charged with assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2001 {{!}} Globalnews.ca|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6848816/nova-scotia-shooting-gunman-assault-2001/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Global News|language=en-US}}

In June 2010, Wortman was investigated by Halifax Regional Police for threatening his parents, but no official action was taken due to a lack of evidence. In May 2011, Truro Police received a tip from an unnamed source via email about Wortman's stash of guns and his desire to "kill a cop". The tipster warned about Wortman's recent stress and mental health issues and said he always kept a handgun close by. The tip was transferred to the Nova Scotia RCMP for jurisdictional reasons, but it is unclear what action was taken by them. The tip was ultimately purged from their records as is standard protocol according to an RCMP spokesperson.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/ns-gunman-2011-warning-1.5589277|title=2011 tip that warned N.S. gunman wanted 'to kill a cop' was purged from RCMP records|publisher=CBC News|last1=Donkin|first1=Karissa|last2=McMillan|first2=Elizabeth|date=May 29, 2020|access-date=May 29, 2020}}

A former neighbour in Portapique said he reported Wortman to the RCMP in the summer of 2013 for assaulting his spouse and having a cache of illegal firearms, but they declined to take firmer action due to not receiving a complaint from the partner. The former neighbour ended up leaving Portapique after Wortman became more aggressive and threatening to his spouse in response to the complaint.{{Cite news|last=Tutton|first=Michael|date=May 13, 2020|title=Neighbour reported N.S. mass shooter's domestic violence, weapons to police|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-shooting-nova-scotia-firearms-gun-violence-1.5567330|access-date=May 13, 2020}} The RCMP confirmed they had received the neighbour's complaint but that the file had since been purged from their records.

No motive has been established for the attacks. Over 25 different units of the RCMP were involved in the criminal investigation, along with the Halifax Regional Police and the Canada Border Services Agency. The Canadian Armed Forces were also dispatched on April 21 to assist the RCMP in their investigation by providing them with additional personnel and supplies.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/military-equipment-nova-scotia-rcmp-investigation-mass-killing-1.5540743|title=Military personnel, equipment to aid RCMP investigation into mass killing|date=April 22, 2020|access-date=April 22, 2020|website=CBC News}} There were a total of 16 crime scenes, including five structure fires, spread over a distance of at least {{convert|50|km|mi}}, along with 500 identified witnesses.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/11/nova-scotia-shooting-police-launch-psychological-autopsy-gunman|title=Nova Scotia shooting: police launch 'psychological autopsy' of gunman for clues|work=The Guardian|last=Cecco|first=Leyland|date=May 11, 2020|access-date=May 24, 2020}}

The man from whom Wortman had previously considered buying a police car said that he was warned by police during the incident that he was considered a possible target.{{cite web|url=https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/04/23/would-be-victim-nova-scotia-gunman-list-report/|title=Would-be victim reveals Nova Scotia gunman had 'list of people to target': report|last=Gul|first=Monika|date=April 23, 2020|website=CKWX|access-date=April 23, 2020}} However, Wortman ultimately never attacked him during the rampage.

The Nova Scotia RCMP Major Crime Unit launched a tip hotline to gather further information about the attacks.{{Cite web|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/rcmp-launch-tip-line-to-gather-information-about-weekend-mass-shooting-1.4908807|title=RCMP launch tip line to gather information about weekend mass shooting|date=April 23, 2020|first=Leigha |last=Farnell |website=CTV Atlantic |language=en|access-date=April 23, 2020}}

On May 11, the RCMP's Behavioral Analysis Unit launched a "psychological autopsy" on Wortman, which involved extensive interrogations with his friends, family members, and colleagues. It found that he was an "injustice collector", a criminology term for those who keep track of perceived slights and petty grievances that occur over many years.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-killing-portapique-mental-health-1.5602698|title=Seeking to explain Nova Scotia shootings: Inside the 'threat-sensitive brain'|publisher=CBC News|last=MacDonald|first=Michael|work=CBC News|date=June 8, 2020|access-date=June 8, 2020}}

Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said that Wortman had no Firearms Licence and his weapons were illegally acquired.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kelownanow.com/news/news/National_News/Police_have_good_idea_guns_used_in_Nova_Scotia_mass_shooting_were_not_licensed/|title=Police have 'good idea' guns used in Nova Scotia mass shooting were not licensed|website=KelownaNow|language=en|date=April 23, 2020|access-date=April 23, 2020 |author=Canadian Press}}{{cite news|last=Lamoureux|first=Mack|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/nova-scotia-gunman-was-not-a-legal-firearms-owner-rcmp-says/|title=Nova Scotia Gunman Was Not a Legal Firearms Owner, RCMP Says|date=April 22, 2020|access-date=April 22, 2020|work=Vice}} Superintendent Darren Campbell said five firearms were recovered from the stolen vehicle Wortman was driving in Enfield. Four of them belonged to Wortman: two semiautomatic handguns and two semiautomatic rifles, one of which was described as a "military-style assault rifle". The fifth was Stevenson's stolen service pistol, a Smith & Wesson 5906.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/01/canada-assault-weapons-ban-trudeau-nova-scotia-shooting|title=Trudeau announces Canada is banning assault-style weapons|work=The Guardian|last=Cecco|first=Leyland|date=May 1, 2020|access-date=May 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501161202/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/01/canada-assault-weapons-ban-trudeau-nova-scotia-shooting|archive-date=May 1, 2020|url-status=live}} Police also said that while one of Wortman's firearms had originated within Canada, via the estate of a former associate who died in 2009, all of the others were smuggled in from the United States.{{cite news|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/detailed-portrait-emerges-of-gun-acquisitions-cash-stockpiles-of-n-s-mass-killer-1.5234777|title=Detailed portrait emerges of gun acquisitions, cash stockpiles of N.S. mass killer|publisher=CTV News|last=Tutton|first=Michael|date=December 16, 2020|access-date=December 16, 2020}}

On June 25, 2022, the National Post reported on a briefing note sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau days after the shooting, which identified the four firearms owned by Wortman and used by him in the attacks.{{Cite news |last=Tumilty |first=Ryan |date=June 25, 2022 |title=Liberals knew exact details of guns used in Nova Scotia massacre within days |pages= |work=National Post |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/liberals-knew-exact-details-of-guns-used-in-nova-scotia-massacre-within-days}} According to the note, the rifles were a Colt Law Enforcement Carbine and a Ruger Mini-14, both of which were among the firearm models and variants reclassified as prohibited by the Canadian government in the wake of the attacks. The pistols were a .40-caliber Glock 23 and a 9mm Ruger P89.{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/new-documents-detail-the-guns-all-illegally-obtained-used-by-canadas-worst-mass-murderer|title=New documents detail the guns — all illegally obtained — used by Canada's worst mass murderer|publisher=National Post|last=Tumilty|first=Ryan|date=November 20, 2020|access-date=November 20, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7474635/nova-scotia-shooting-illegal-firearms-colt-carbine-ruger-mini-14/|title=Colt carbine, Ruger Mini-14 among illegally obtained firearms used by Nova Scotia shooter, docs show|publisher=Global News|last=Russell|first=Andrew|date=November 20, 2020|access-date=November 20, 2020}} Further information on the firearms and ammunition was released by court orders in December.

The Ruger Mini-14 was the firearm Wortman acquired from his former associate's estate, having been imported into Canada from the United States and legally purchased in a Winnipeg gun store beforehand. A Canadian gun policy expert said that, while a Firearms Licence was required for someone to legally possess a Mini-14, the executor of an estate is allowed to temporarily own the estate's firearms. Conversely, the Colt was sourced to a gun store in California and the pistols to a gun store in Mattawamkeag, Maine. Wortman was said to have had acquaintances living in Maine; one confirmed to police that Wortman stole the Glock 23 from him and later said it was for his own protection, while another confirmed he loaned the Ruger P89 to Wortman "sometime within the last two to five years". An acquaintance also told police that the Colt was obtained at a gun show in the U.S. by an individual who gave it to a friend of Wortman's, who then gave it to Wortman himself. The Colt and both pistols were classified as restricted in Canada, meaning Wortman would have needed a Restricted Firearms Licence and to register them in order to legally own them; however, these firearms were all illegally smuggled into the country. In addition, the briefing note said Wortman was in possession of high-capacity magazines, which are illegal in Canada and were smuggled in from the US. The pistols were also equipped with laser sights.

Leather noted that Wortman's use of a police car and a police uniform allowed him to evade detection for a long time. Owning police vehicles or uniforms is not a crime in Canada, but impersonating a police officer is.{{cite news|last1=Donkin|first1=Karissa|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/ns-shooting-rcmp-vehicle-1.5539877|title=Police uniform, mock RCMP cruiser key parts of investigation into N.S. shootings|date=April 21, 2020|website=CBC News|access-date=April 22, 2020|last2=Daigle|first2=Thomas}}{{cite news|last=Hill|first=Brian|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6851700/nova-scotia-shooting-gunman-uniform-police-car|title=How a real uniform and replica police car helped the Nova Scotia gunman go undetected|date=April 22, 2020|work=Global News|access-date=April 22, 2020}} CBC News reported that at least one RCMP officer had previously taken note of one of Wortman's replica vehicles and advised him not to drive it on the road. Officials later said Wortman had acquired the specific vehicle he used in the attacks, a 2017 Ford Taurus, at an auction in the fall of 2019. It was recoloured white and stripped of its police accessories at the time of its purchase, a routine process for any recently decommissioned RCMP vehicle.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-shootings-gunman-replica-cruiser-decals-1.5804019|title=Work on cruiser used in N.S. mass shooting began 9 months before rampage, court documents reveal|publisher=CBC News|date=November 16, 2020|access-date=November 20, 2020}} Police confirmed Wortman had estranged relatives who were retired RCMP officers, but he had not obtained any police uniforms from them.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-shooting-unsealed-search-warrant-documents-1.5664913|title=N.S. mass shooter allegedly had guns, drugs, secret rooms, court documents say|publisher=CBC News|last=McMillan|first=Elizabeth|date=July 27, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2020}} The RCMP looked into the navigation logs of Wortman's vehicles to determine if the route he took during the attacks was predetermined.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-killing-nova-scotia-unsealed-search-warrant-documents-1.5583086|title=RCMP hoped vehicle data could shed light on N.S. gunman's prior movements|publisher=CBC News|last=McMillan|first=Elizabeth|date=May 25, 2020|access-date=May 26, 2020}}

Wortman is believed to have worked on refurbishing the decommissioned police vehicle used in the attacks over the course of nine months. The RCMP determined the decals used for the vehicle came from a supplier, but that they were made without the business owner's permission.{{cite news |last1=Faulkner |first1=James |title=Decals on gunman's car created without business owner's permission: RCMP |url=https://www.iheartradio.ca/big-dog-100-9/bigdog-news/decals-on-gunman-s-car-created-without-business-owner-s-permission-rcmp-1.12386597 |publisher=I Heart Radio |access-date=May 11, 2020 |date=May 11, 2020 |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515042730/https://www.iheartradio.ca/big-dog-100-9/bigdog-news/decals-on-gunman-s-car-created-without-business-owner-s-permission-rcmp-1.12386597 |url-status=dead }} The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, a Canadian money-laundering watchdog agency, found that Wortman purchased police-themed vehicle accessories via PayPal, and that PayPal flagged a number of these transactions as suspicious between March 22 and December 5, 2019. Wortman's spouse said that he purchased police gear in both Canada and the U.S. According to records from the Canada Border Services Agency, Wortman crossed the Canada–United States border through Woodstock, New Brunswick, 15 times within the previous two years with his most recent return to Canada being on March 6.

In the weeks before the attacks, Wortman liquidated his bank accounts and withdrew a large sum of money in cash.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/29/nova-scotia-gunman-paranoid-survivalist-not-police-informer|title=Nova Scotia gunman was paranoid survivalist – but not informer, say police|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|last=Cecco|first=Leyland|date=June 29, 2020|access-date=June 30, 2020}} News magazine Maclean's reported that a {{currency|475000|CAD}} withdrawal from Brink's and other evidence pointed to Wortman having ties to organised crime and being a confidential informant for the RCMP.{{cite news|url=https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/the-nova-scotia-killer-had-ties-to-criminals-and-withdrew-a-huge-sum-of-cash-before-the-shooting/|title=The Nova Scotia killer had ties to criminals and withdrew a huge sum of cash before the shooting|publisher=Maclean's|last1=Palango|first1=Paul|last2=Maher|first2=Stephen|last3=Gormley|first3=Shannon|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=June 30, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/the-nova-scotia-shooter-case-has-hallmarks-of-an-undercover-operation/|title=The Nova Scotia shooter case has hallmarks of an undercover operation|publisher=Maclean's|last1=Palango|first1=Paul|last2=Maher|first2=Stephen|last3=Gormley|first3=Shannon|date=June 19, 2020|access-date=June 30, 2020}} In response to the allegations, the RCMP denied having any prior association with Wortman, saying his recent behaviour and stockpiling activities were driven by paranoia about the COVID-19 pandemic possibly growing out of control and leading to a widespread institutional and infrastructural collapse. However the RCMP Operations Manual authorizes them to lie to the public and government outside of a court to protect the identity of confidential informants and sources. They also said they found a fireproof safe containing hundreds of thousands of dollars at his Portapique property.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-shooting-rcmp-investigation-gunman-covid-paranoia-1.5628184|title=N.S. gunman liquidated assets, stockpiled gas and food due to COVID-19 fears, RCMP say|publisher=CBC News|last=McMillan|first=Elizabeth|date=June 29, 2020|access-date=June 30, 2020}} A total of {{currency|705000|CAD}} was seized from the remains of Wortman's cottage after the attacks. A financial audit has been conducted as part of the investigation.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53411315|title=Could Canada's worst mass shooting have been avoided?|work=BBC News|last=Levinson-King|first=Robin|date=July 17, 2020|access-date=July 20, 2020}}

On July 27, court documents were unsealed, detailing police interviews with witnesses who claimed Wortman was a drug smuggler who provided people in Portapique and nearby unincorporated community of Economy with drugs from Maine. These witnesses alleged Wortman had stockpiles of guns and drugs, along with false walls and hidden compartments, in his properties. The RCMP confirmed three days later that Wortman had kept hidden compartments in buildings, but they were unable to corroborate the drug smuggling claims.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/rcmp-ns-gunman-guns-hiding-spaces-not-verified-police-say-1.5669594|title=N.S. mass shooter had hiding spaces for guns, but drug smuggling not verified, say RCMP|publisher=CBC News|last=Tutton|first=Michael|date=July 30, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2020}} Another witness claimed Wortman had two crates of grenades acquired in the U.S.; a lawyer representing the victims' families reported that one of his clients found, at a crime scene in Portapique, wooden ammunition cases that could have been used to store grenades. Additional witnesses told police that Wortman and an associate tended to travel to the U.S. and smuggle cigarettes, alcohol, and presumably other illegal items from there, using a sailboat the associate owned.

In this context, the Nova Scotia Judge has ordered those certain amendments to the search warrant documents relating to the RCMP investigation into the events of April 18–19 remain unedited. The decision was made in response to an appeal to the court by the media coalition, which includes the Halifax Examiner.{{Cite web |title=An order of the Nova Scotia judge that some of the redactions in search warrant documents related to the RCMP's investigation into the events of April 18/19 be un-redacted. |url=https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Order-and-Appendix-A-July-272020.pdf}} For its part, the RCMP issued a 1,600-word statement rebutting most of the details, saying that evidence was obtained from only one of the hundreds of people interviewed in the case.{{Cite web |title=Statement from the Nova Scotia RCMP to provide context to recently unsealed information |date=July 30, 2020 |url=https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2020/statement-the-nova-scotia-rcmp-provide-context-recently-unsealed-information}}

On December 4, Wortman's spouse, her older brother, and a brother-in-law were charged with providing Wortman ammunition that he used in the attacks. The spouse was believed to have transferred .223 Remington and .40 Smith & Wesson cartridges, all of them purchased in Nova Scotia, between March 17 and April 18, 2020. However, the RCMP acknowledged that the three cooperated in the investigation and had "no prior knowledge" of Wortman's actions.{{cite news|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/common-law-partner-2-others-charged-with-providing-ammunition-to-n-s-shooter-1.5217252|title=Common-law partner, 2 others charged with providing ammunition to N.S. shooter|publisher=CTV News|last1=Jerrett|first1=Andrea|last2=Pace|first2=Natasha|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=December 4, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7501852/ns-mass-killer-common-law-spouse-2-men-charged-providing-ammunition/|title=N.S. mass killer's common-law spouse and 2 men charged with providing ammunition|publisher=Global News|last=Renic|first=Karla|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=December 4, 2020}} The charges were dismissed after they opted to have the charges dealt with under a Restorative justice process.{{Cite news |date=May 4, 2022 |title=3rd person accused of supplying ammo to N.S. gunman sent to restorative justice |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/3rd-person-accused-of-supplying-ammo-to-n-s-gunman-sent-to-restorative-justice-1.6440984 |work=CBC}}{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2022 |title=Weapons charges against gunman's spouse, others withdrawn in case linked to N.S. mass shooting |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/weapons-charges-withdrawn-in-case-linked-to-n-s-mass-murders-1.6532406 |website=CBC news}}

Nova Scotia's Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) announced it would conduct an investigation into the police shooting of Wortman, as well as another incident involving two RCMP officers who discharged their weapons inside a fire hall in Onslow; Wortman was not there at the time.{{cite press release |url=https://sirt.novascotia.ca/investigation-begins-enfield-death|title=Investigation Begins into Enfield Death|date=April 19, 2020|publisher=Serious Incident Response Team|access-date=April 20, 2020}} On December 17, SIRT finished their review of Wortman's death and concluded the officers' actions were justified. A Global News investigation of the Onslow incident found indications that the officers involved mistook a third RCMP officer and an Emergency Management Office employee stationed at the fire hall for Wortman, but the SIRT investigation remains ongoing.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7660609/firefighters-terrorized-rcmp-search-nova-scotia-gunman-answers/|title=Firefighters 'terrorized' by RCMP during search for Nova Scotia gunman still have no answers|publisher=Global News|last1=Ritchie|first1=Sarah|last2=Kress|first2=Alex|last3=Hill|first3=Brian|date=March 1, 2021|access-date=March 2, 2021}}

In an interview with As It Happens on April 25, Commissioner Lucki promised a thorough review of the police response to the attacks, including the delay in informing the public about Wortman potentially impersonating a police officer.

Following the attacks, many questions were raised about why Nova Scotia failed to use Alert Ready, Canada's mandatory emergency population warning system, to warn the public about the attacks but instead chose to use social media platforms Twitter and Facebook to provide updates. RCMP officials said they had been dealing with an unfolding situation and details were being updated frequently. However, the areas affected had poor cellular Internet service and were mostly populated by seniors who might not have used social media. Relatives of the victims pointed out that the use of Alert Ready could have saved lives.{{cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/u-s-citizens-in-nova-scotia-were-sent-additional-warning-during-deadly-rampage-1.4907139|title=U.S. citizens in Nova Scotia were sent additional warning during deadly rampage|website=CTV News|last=Gilmore|first=Rachel|date=April 22, 2020|access-date=April 22, 2020}}{{cite news|last=Cooke|first=Alex|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-shooting-emergency-alert-1.5540220|title='I would not have let my wife leave': Widower blasts lack of emergency alert during N.S. shootings|date=April 21, 2020|access-date=April 21, 2020|website=CBC News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/corrie-ellison-mass-shooting-brother-clinton-hiding-1.5541082|title=He was 'hunted' by the Portapique gunman and survived. His brother didn't|website=CBC News|last=Davie|first=Emma|date=April 22, 2020|access-date=April 22, 2020}} Chief Superintendent Leather said an investigation would be conducted into the decision-making process on alerting the public.

On April 22, Leather said officers in Dartmouth were asked by the province about a warning at 10:15 a.m., but they did not agree on details like wording before Wortman died 71 minutes later. The United States Consulate in Halifax said it emailed US citizens in Nova Scotia warning them of the situation using the RCMP's information.

On July 28, 2020, federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair announced a public inquiry.{{Cite news |first1=Brooklyn |last1=Currie |last2=Patil |first2=Anjuli |date=July 28, 2020 |title=Inquiry into N.S. mass shooting to go ahead, public safety minister says |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/liberal-mps-support-inquiry-letter-review-1.5665771 |work=CBC News |access-date=July 28, 2020}} The federal and provincial governments had previously considered a more narrow "joint review," but, following public outcry and protests held by victims' families, they agreed to hold a more expansive public inquiry.{{Cite news |first1=Raisa |last1=Patel |date=August 1, 2020 |title=Pushback from families, MPs led to reversal on N.S. mass shooting inquiry, Blair says |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cbc-radio-s-the-house-august-1-2020-1.5668916/pushback-from-families-mps-led-to-reversal-on-n-s-mass-shooting-inquiry-blair-says-1.5668922 |work=CBC News |access-date=August 1, 2020}} The public inquiry does not have the power to compel testimony, and the RCMP Operations Manual authorizes the police force to lie to a public inquiry to protect the identity of informants and police assets.

Formally titled the [https://masscasualtycommission.ca/about/commission-team/ Joint Federal/Provincial Commission into the April 2020 Nova Scotia Mass Casualty] (or the Mass Casualty Commission), it was officially established on October 21 via an Order in Council issued by the Government of Canada and Province of Nova Scotia.{{Cite web|title=About|url=https://masscasualtycommission.ca/about/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=masscasualtycommission.ca|language=en-CA}} The [https://orders-in-council.canada.ca/attachment.php?attach=39809&lang=en terms of the Order in Council of the Government of Canada (PC Number: 2020-0822 dated October 21, 2020)], in English and French, were published on the website of the Government of Canada. The full text of a certified copy of an [https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/oic/OIC%202020-293.pdf Order in Council of the Province of Nova Scotia (Number 2020-293)] can be found on the provincial Government's platform. The federal and provincial governments jointly selected three commissioners to conduct the inquiry: J. Michael MacDonald (former chief justice of Nova Scotia), Leanne J. Fitch (retired police chief), and Dr. Kim Stanton.{{Cite web|title=The Commissioners|url=https://masscasualtycommission.ca/about/the-commissioners/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=masscasualtycommission.ca|language=en-CA}}

The independent public inquiry was created to examine the mass casualty in Nova Scotia and to provide meaningful recommendations to keep communities safe in the future.{{Cite web |title=Mass Casualty Commission |url=https://masscasualtycommission.ca/ |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=masscasualtycommission.ca |language=en-CA}} The list of the Commission Team, information on its Mandate, the Research Advisory Board, and the other Foundational Documents and Commissioned Reports were published on the [https://masscasualtycommission.ca/about/commission-team/ Commission's site].{{Cite web |title=Commission Team |url=https://masscasualtycommission.ca/about/commission-team/ |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=masscasualtycommission.ca |language=en-CA}} The inquiry included mandates on probing the RCMP response and the role gender-based violence played, and was expected to deliver an interim report by May 1, 2022, followed by a final report six months later.{{cite news|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-s-mass-shooting-probe-will-include-look-at-rcmp-actions-gender-based-violence-1.5156756|title=N.S. mass shooting probe will include look at RCMP actions, gender-based violence|publisher=CTV News|last=Tutton|first=Michael|date=October 22, 2020|access-date=November 24, 2020}} In May 2022, the [https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/2022-mcc-int-cpm-prov/index-en.aspx Interim Report] of the Commission on Mass Victims was published by the Joint Federal-Provincial Commission of Inquiry into Nova Scotia Mass Casualty.{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Public Safety |date=2022-05-20 |title=Mass Casualty Commission Interim Report |url=https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/2022-mcc-int-cpm-prov/index-en.aspx |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=www.publicsafety.gc.ca}}

Also, there is a webcast which operates on an ongoing basis to broadcast the public proceeding, which informs the public about the work of the commission.{{Cite web |title=Webcast |url=https://masscasualtycommission.ca/webcast/ |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=masscasualtycommission.ca |language=en-CA}}

On March 30, 2023, the Mass Casualty Commission released its final report, which was highly critical of the RCMP. The report faulted the service for failing to warn the public of the shooting, its poor preparation for such situations, and for its systemic inflexibility and lack of accountability. More than half of the report's 130 recommendations were targeted at the RCMP, including one calling the federal Public Safety Minister to start an independent review of the force. Other recommendations included better funding for addressing intimate partner violence, creating a dedicated organization for victim support (one officer was provided for all 21 non-police victims' families), stronger restrictions on gun ownership, and the nationalization and overhaul of the privately operated Alert Ready system.{{Cite news |last1=Tunney |first1=Catharine |last2=Ryan |first2=Haley |date=March 30, 2023 |title=N.S. mass shooting report condemns RCMP failures, calls for dramatic reforms |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/n-s-mass-shooting-report-condemns-systemic-rcmp-failures-calls-for-dramatic-reforms-1.6795826 |access-date=March 30, 2023}}

File:Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - Remarks on the shooting in Portapique, Nova Scotia - 2020.webm

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his condolences and delivered remarks on the mass shooting tragedy in Nova Scotia. During his morning address from Rideau Cottage on April 20, he reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening gun control.{{cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/trudeau-reiterates-gun-control-commitment-in-wake-of-mass-shooting-1.4903966|title=Trudeau reiterates gun control commitment in wake of mass shooting|website=CTV News|last=Gilmore|first=Rachel|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2020}} Trudeau also stated, "A gunman claimed the lives of at least 18 people. Among them, a woman in uniform, whose job it is to protect lives, even if it endangers her own, constable Heidi Stevenson of the RCMP" and asked the media to not use the attacker's name or image: "Do not give this person the gift of infamy."{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.kktv.com/content/news/Police-At-least-10-killed-in-shooting-rampage-in-Canada-569772421.html|title=Canada's worst mass shooting leaves at least 18 dead|website=KKTV|date=April 19, 2020|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422085944/https://www.kktv.com/content/news/Police-At-least-10-killed-in-shooting-rampage-in-Canada-569772421.html|archive-date=April 22, 2020|url-status=live}}

On April 19, 2020, the prime minister, Justin Trudeau, issued a statement on the shooting in Portapique, Nova Scotia, saying:

{{blockquote|I was saddened to learn about the senseless violence in Nova Scotia, which claimed the lives of multiple people, including one member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Cst. Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year veteran of the Force. Earlier today, I spoke with the RCMP Commissioner and the Premier of Nova Scotia to offer my condolences, on behalf of the Government of Canada. The people of Nova Scotia are strong and resilient, and we will be here to support them as they heal from this tragedy.{{cite web |title=Justin Trudeau Speech Transcript on Nova Scotia Mass Shooting |url=https://www.rev.com/blog/transcripts/justin-trudeau-speech-transcript-on-nova-scotia-mass-shooting |website=@rev |access-date=11 July 2022}}}}

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil told reporters, "This is one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province's history." He expressed his condolences to the residents affected and the families of the victims.{{cite news|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/shooting-one-of-the-most-senseless-acts-of-violence-in-nova-scotia-s-history-premier-1.4902917|title=Shooting 'one of the most senseless acts of violence' in Nova Scotia's history: premier|last=Jerrett|first=Andrea|website=CTV News|access-date=April 19, 2020|date=April 19, 2020}}

Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, expressed her condolences, saying that she and Prince Philip were "saddened by the appalling events", and that her thoughts and prayers were with the people of Nova Scotia and all Canadians. She also paid tribute to the "bravery and sacrifice" of the RCMP and other emergency services.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-crime-nova-scotia-britain/queen-elizabeth-sends-condolences-to-canada-after-nova-scotia-shooting-idUSKCN2231JF|title=Queen Elizabeth sends condolences to Canada after Nova Scotia shooting|access-date=April 21, 2020|date=April 21, 2020|website=Reuters|last=Faulconbridge|first=Guy}}

The White House condemned the attacks and expressed US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump's condolences. Statement from the Press Secretary released the following: “As friends and neighbours, we will always stand with one another through our most trying times and greatest challenges. The United States strongly condemns these murders, and our prayers are with the victims and their families”.{{cite press release|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-125/|title=Statement from the Press Secretary|date=April 20, 2020|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|access-date=June 17, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wthr.com/mobile/article/news/world/white-house-sends-condolences-canadian-shooting-victims/531-274806e2-1d6c-4dfd-ad2f-2daba04d2777|title=White House sends condolences to Canadian shooting victims|publisher=WTHR|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=June 17, 2020}} Condolences for the victims were issued by other countries as well.{{cite news|url=https://beta.ctvnews.ca/national/canada/2020/4/21/1_4905878.html|title=Condolences pour in from around the world for victims of Nova Scotia mass killing|publisher=CTV News|last=Ferguson|first=Rachel|date=April 21, 2020|access-date=June 17, 2020}}

Since the attacks, the lack of transparency in the investigation has been strongly criticised, and calls have been made for a public inquiry into the police response, including by dozens of senators from Nova Scotia and across the country.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/portapique-mass-shooting-gunman-premier-stephen-mcneil-dalhousie-professors-open-letter-1.5572070|title=N.S. law profs call on premier to commit to inquiry into April's mass shooting|publisher=CBC News|last=Smith|first=Emma|date=May 15, 2020|access-date=June 30, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-shooting-senators-public-inquiry-1.5632168|title=N.S. senators say shooting inquiry must happen now to stave off speculation|publisher=CBC News|last=Grant|first=Taryn|date=June 30, 2020|access-date=June 30, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7010443/heather-obrien-family-nova-scotia-shooting-public-inquiry/|title=Family of Heather O'Brien, VON nurse killed in Nova Scotia shooting, calls for public inquiry|publisher=Global News|last=Quon|first=Alexander|date=June 1, 2020|access-date=June 30, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/37-senators-demand-open-transparent-inquiry-into-n-s-shooting-1.5029718|title=37 senators demand 'open, transparent' inquiry into N.S. shooting|publisher=CTV News|date=July 18, 2020|access-date=July 20, 2020}} On June 3, Nova Scotia Justice Minister Mark Furey announced a public inquiry of some kind will be held in the near future,{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-shooting-portapique-public-inquiry-1.5596241|title=N.S. justice minister supports probe into mass shooting but says province will not lead it|publisher=CBC News|last=Burke|first=David|date=June 3, 2020|access-date=July 5, 2020}} but a month later, he said the proceedings into the inquiry's formation were being hampered by legal technicalities.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mark-furey-expects-mass-killing-inquiry-this-month-1.5635270|title='Legalities and technicalities' delay announcement of N.S. mass killing inquiry: Justice minister|publisher=CBC News|last=Patil|first=Anjuli|date=July 2, 2020|access-date=July 5, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/inquiry-into-mass-shooting-in-nova-scotia-facing-delays-due-to-technicalities-1.5008446|title=Inquiry into mass shooting in Nova Scotia facing delays due to 'technicalities'|publisher=CTV News|last=MacDonald|first=Michael|date=July 2, 2020|access-date=July 5, 2020}} On July 28, federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair announced that a public inquiry would take place.{{cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Michael |date=July 28, 2020|title=Ottawa announces full inquiry into N.S. shootings |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-nova-scotia-justice-minister-says-he-now-supports-a-joint-public/ |work=The Globe and Mail |access-date=July 28, 2020}}

{{Broader|Firearms regulation in Canada}}

On May 1, Trudeau announced that the sale, transportation, importation, or use of "assault-style" firearms in Canada was now banned effective immediately. Via Order in Council, the government re-classified them from Restricted to Prohibited under the Firearms Act, with a two-year amnesty period to allow current owners to dispose, export, or sell them (under a buy-back scheme), and for special uses.{{cite web |last1=Ballingall|first1=Alex |title=Ottawa will let gun owners keep 'military-style' firearms despite nationwide ban|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2020/05/01/prime-minister-trudeau-announces-ban-on-1500-types-of-military-style-guns.html |website=thestar.com |access-date=1 May 2020 |date=26 June 2020}} The prohibition applies to at least 1,500 models and variants, largely semi-automatic firearms (fully automatic and certain specifically chosen firearms were already classified as "Prohibited"), including the AR-15 and guns that had been used in other notable mass shootings in Canada, such as the Ruger Mini-14 (École Polytechnique massacre), and the Beretta Cx4 Storm (Dawson College shooting).{{Cite news |title=More than 1K assault-style weapons now prohibited in Canada: PM Trudeau |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/pm-trudeau-announces-federal-ban-on-assault-style-firearms-in-canada-1.4920528 |last=Aiello |first=Rachel |date=May 1, 2020 |work=CTV News |language=en |access-date=May 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501174044/https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/pm-trudeau-announces-federal-ban-on-assault-style-firearms-in-canada-1.4920528 |archive-date=May 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}

The intended long-term effects of the ban were questioned by experts, who pointed out it would have had no effect on Wortman's illegal acquisition of his firearms. They also highlighted the ban's inability to address international firearms trafficking or other types of smuggled firearms used in criminal activity.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/ns-shooting-firearms-1.5552773|title=2 types of guns N.S. shooter used in rampage now banned in Canada|publisher=CBC News|last1=Donkin|first1=Karissa|last2=Ryan|first2=Haley|date=May 1, 2020|access-date=May 26, 2020}} Five separate court challenges were raised in response to the ban, claiming the Canadian government contravened the Firearms Act and unfairly targeted legal gun owners.{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/lawsuits-piling-up-against-liberal-governments-unconstitutional-firearms-ban|title=Lawsuits pile up in legal battle against Liberal government's "unconstitutional" firearms ban|date=August 11, 2020|access-date=December 28, 2020|last=Snyder|first=Jesse|newspaper=National Post}}

On May 3, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair announced plans to expand Canada's red flag law to include family members and others.{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6897699/nova-scotia-shooting-red-flag-laws/|title=Liberals will propose expanding 'red flag' gun laws, Blair says|publisher=Global News|last=Lao|first=David|date=May 3, 2020|access-date=May 24, 2020}}

The Liberal Party of Canada announced on its website measures against gun violence and a ban on the use, sale or import of assault weapons, most used in mass shootings in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.{{Cite web |title=Ending Gun Violence {{!}} Liberal Party of Canada |url=https://liberal.ca/our-platform/ending-gun-violence/ |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=liberal.ca |language=en-CA}}

The families of the victims, as well as the residents of Portapique, strongly condemned the RCMP's response to the attacks, as well as their transparency in the criminal investigation. CBC News' television program The Fifth Estate and online newspaper Halifax Examiner analyzed the timeline of events, and both observed a myriad of failures and shortcomings in the RCMP response.{{cite news|title=Growing criticism over how Nova Scotia RCMP warned public about killer|url=https://globalnews.ca/video/6850607/growing-criticism-over-how-nova-scotia-rcmp-warned-public-about-killer/|publisher=Global News|date=April 21, 2020|access-date=November 24, 2020}}{{cite web|title='An epic failure': The first duty of police is to preserve life; through the Nova Scotia massacre, the RCMP saved no one|url=https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/featured/an-epic-failure-the-first-duty-of-police-is-to-preserve-life-through-the-nova-scotia-massacre-the-rcmp-saved-no-one/|publisher=Halifax Examiner|last=Palango|first=Paul|date=July 18, 2020|access-date=November 24, 2020}} A criminologist criticised the RCMP's response as "a mess" and called for an overhaul in how the agency responds to active shooter situations, citing its failure to properly respond to other such incidents in the past.

Starting April 22, 2020, the RCMP began providing updates on the investigation into the incidents on April 18–19 and launched a condolence platform on its official website.{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Royal Canadian Mounted Police |date=2017-09-13 |title=In memoriam {{!}} Royal Canadian Mounted Police |url=https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/memoriam |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca}}{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Royal Canadian Mounted Police |date=2020-04-22 |title=Update on Investigation into the incidents on April 18 and 19 {{!}} Royal Canadian Mounted Police |url=https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2020/update-investigation-the-incidents-april-18-and-19 |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca}}

File:2020 Nova Scotia Attacks Memorial to the Victims.jpg neighbourhood of Halifax, Nova Scotia. A photo of the six victims of the April 30, 2020, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CH-148 Cyclone helicopter crash off Greece had been added to the lower right part of the memorial]]

Flags across Canada were lowered to half-mast,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/20/nova-scotia-shooting-friends-family-pay-tribute-victims|title=Nova Scotia shooting: friends and family pay tribute to 'beautiful souls' lost in rampage|work=The Guardian|last=Cecco|first=Leyland|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420223029/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/20/nova-scotia-shooting-friends-family-pay-tribute-victims|archive-date=April 20, 2020|url-status=live}} and the House of Commons observed a moment of silence for the victims.{{cite web| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-nova-scotia-shooting-1.5538301| title='We're going to get through this together': Trudeau calls for unity after mass killing |website=CBC News| date=April 20, 2020| access-date=April 20, 2020| url-status=live| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200421002715/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-nova-scotia-shooting-1.5538301| archive-date=April 21, 2020}}

On April 20, the CN Tower was illuminated in blue and white, the colours of the Nova Scotia flag, and also in RCMP red, blue, and gold in honour of Stevenson, on the quarter- and half-hours. On April 21, at Niagara Falls, both the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls were also illuminated in blue and white as a symbol of bi-national solidarity with Nova Scotia.{{cite news|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/iconic-canadian-symbols-glow-blue-and-white-in-show-of-solidarity-with-nova-scotia-1.4907477|title=Iconic Canadian symbols glow blue and white in show of solidarity with Nova Scotia|website=CTV News|last1=Jerrett|first1=Andrea|last2=Price|first2=Melanie|date=April 22, 2020|access-date=April 22, 2020}}

In the days after the incident, many fundraisers for the victims and their families were started on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe.{{cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/n-s-rampage-victims-young-sons-hid-during-attack-family-member-says-1.4906956 |title=N.S. rampage victims' young sons hid during attack, family member says |website=CTV News |last1=Neustaeter |first1=Brooklyn |date=April 22, 2020 |access-date=April 23, 2020}} There was also at least one fake or fraudulent fundraiser started, which was subsequently removed. Jeff Thomson of the RCMP's Anti-Fraud Centre warned Canadians to be diligent when donating to charities related to the tragedy.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/beware-of-fake-ns-shooting-charity-campaigns-rcmp-warns-1.5541570 |title=Fake N.S. shooting fundraiser leads to warning from RCMP |website=CBC News |last1=Colbert |first1=Yvonne |date=April 23, 2020 |access-date=April 23, 2020}}

As large gatherings were restricted in the province due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a public virtual vigil was streamed online via Facebook, and broadcast by CBC Television in the Atlantic provinces.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/virtual-vigil-facebook-22-victims-nova-scotia-shooting-1.5541093 |title=Virtual vigil honouring victims of N.S. shootings planned for Friday |website=CBC News |date=April 22, 2020|access-date=April 23, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6852130/virtual-vigil-nova-scotia-shooting |title=How to watch the virtual vigil for the Nova Scotia shooting victims |work=Global News |last1=Goldfinger |first1=Daina |last2=Lieberman |first2=Caryn |date=April 22, 2020 |access-date=April 23, 2020}}

A permanent memorial to the victims was set up at a former church in Portapique, after an earlier makeshift memorial was dismantled by residents.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/permanent-memorial-to-ns-mass-killing-victims-portapique-1.5581032|title=Permanent memorial set up for Nova Scotia mass killing victims|publisher=CBC News|last=Patil|first=Anjuli|date=May 22, 2020|access-date=May 29, 2020}}

On April 18, 2022, Marco Mendicino, minister of public safety, issued a statement on the second anniversary of the attack.{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Public Safety |date=2022-04-18 |title=Statement from Minister Mendicino marking two years since the mass shooting in Nova Scotia |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2022/04/statement-from-minister-mendicino-marking-two-years-since-the-mass-shooting-in-nova-scotia.html |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=www.canada.ca}}

Following RCMP confirmation that the attacks were preceded by an act of domestic violence, women's rights advocates said the rampage highlighted a broader problem of domestic violence in Canada, as well as its potential as a warning sign for future violent behaviour and public threats.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/shooting-rampage-public-threat-domestic-violence-1.5545726|title=N.S. shooting rampage highlights public threat of domestic violence: victim advocates|publisher=CBC News|last1=Thomson|first1=Aly|last2=Chu|first2=Elizabeth|date=April 27, 2020|access-date=May 24, 2020}} Activists criticised law enforcement's inability to respond to earlier domestic violence reports against Wortman and called for attention to be placed on the role of misogyny in the attacks. These activists also expressed concern about the criminalization of Wortman's victimized spouse, who suffered extreme domestic violence.{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uLe3yJI_9U|title=The Motive Is Misogyny – Conversation about Femicide|publisher=YouTube|date=April 27, 2021|access-date=April 27, 2021}}

Citing eyewitness reports of Wortman's behaviour and ways of controlling his partner, domestic violence experts called for the passage of a coercive control law in Canada, similar to one that had been passed by the United Kingdom in 2015, which they say may "help prevent other abusers from escaping detection".{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mass-shooting-domestic-abuse-law-1.5582414|title=Some forms of coercion should be made criminal in wake of N.S. mass shooting, experts say|publisher=CBC News|last=Tutton|first=Michael|date=May 24, 2020|access-date=May 24, 2020}}

In the wake of the shooting, many unanswered questions remain, both specific in relation to domestic violence and to this incident in general. Finding answers to these questions may aid in coping, understanding, and healing for those affected by this tragedy in Nova Scotia and beyond.{{cite web |last1=Heal |first1=NS |title=Nova Scotia Health Trauma Program |url=https://www.trauma-ns.com/heal-ns |website=Heal-NS Research Program |publisher=Heal-NS |access-date=11 July 2022}}

To help find answers, a multidisciplinary group of individuals from the Nova Scotia Health Authority, IWK Health Centre, and Dalhousie University have partnered with DHW and other universities across the province to establish Heal Nova Scotia (Heal-NS), a program devoted to bringing together researchers to investigate topics related to violence with the common goal of helping Nova Scotians find answers and healing in the aftermath of the Portapique mass shooting.

Relatives of the victims filed a lawsuit against Wortman's estate for damages caused by the rampage.{{Cite news |last=Patil |first=Anjuli |title=Widower seeks class-action lawsuit against N.S. gunman's estate |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/widower-files-class-action-against-ns-gunmans-estate-1.5560702 |work=CBC News |date=May 7, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Petracek |first=Heidi |title=Proposed class-action lawsuit filed against N.S. mass shooter's estate on behalf of families |url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/proposed-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-n-s-mass-shooter-s-estate-on-behalf-of-families-1.4930856 |work=CTV News |date=May 8, 2020 |access-date=May 16, 2020}} Another lawsuit was filed by victims' families against the RCMP and Nova Scotia, citing the former's "disrespectful manner" to victims and their families and its handling of the attacks, both during and after the event.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-mass-shooting-lawsuit-1.5616129|title=Police returned vehicle with human remains inside, families of N.S. shooting victims allege|publisher=CBC News|last=Ray|first=Carolyn|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=June 30, 2020}} In June, Wortman's partner renounced her status as his executor and eventually filed her own lawsuit against his estate on August 13.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/gabriel-wortman-estate-lawsuit-common-law-partner-1.5685039|title=Common-law partner of Nova Scotia mass shooter sues his estate|publisher=CBC News|last=Rhodes|first=Blair|date=August 13, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2020}} In February 2021, the lawsuit filed by the victims' families added the names of Wortman's partner, her brother, and her brother-in-law.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/lisa-banfield-brian-brewster-james-banfield-defendants-lawsuit-1.5905649|title=3 accused of giving N.S. gunman ammunition named in lawsuit filed by families|publisher=CBC News|last=McMillan|first=Elizabeth|date=February 8, 2021|access-date=March 2, 2021}}

The alleged representatives of the plaintiffs in the case are Tyler Edison Blair and Andrew Frederick O'Brien, who filed the lawsuit in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.{{Cite web |title=RCMP & Attorney General of Nova Scotia (mass shooting), Statement of Claim |url=https://www.courts.ns.ca/Supreme_Court/documents/TRU_498513_Statement_of_Claim.pdf}}

{{Portal|Canada|Nova Scotia|2020s}}

• List of massacres in Canada
• List of rampage killers in the Americas
• 2011 Norway attacks, another mass shooting where the perpetrator impersonated a policeman
• Cumbria shootings, a similar spree killing in England
• 2025 shootings of Minnesota legislators, politically-motivated shootings involving police impersonation
• 22 Murders, 2022 book about the attack by Paul Palango

{{reflist |refs=

{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-timeline-active-shooter-portapique-1.5537756|title=Timeline: How an active-shooter situation unfolded in Nova Scotia|date=April 19, 2020|access-date=April 19, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420001136/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-timeline-active-shooter-portapique-1.5537756|archive-date=April 20, 2020 |website=CBC News}}

{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/americas/nova-scotia-shooting-monday/|title=Gunman evaded police for nearly 12 hours and killed at least 18 in one of Canada's deadliest mass shootings|website=CNN|last1=McLaughlin|first1=Eliott C.|last2=Newton|first2=Paula|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420185305/https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/20/americas/nova-scotia-shooting-monday/|archive-date=April 20, 2020|url-status=live}}

{{Cite news|last1=Diaz|first1=Johnny|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/19/world/canada/nova-scotia-shooting-gabriel-wortman.html|title=Nova Scotia Shooting Kills at Least 16, Police Say|date=April 19, 2020|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=April 19, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419142013/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/19/world/canada/nova-scotia-shooting-gabriel-wortman.html|archive-date=April 19, 2020|last2=Bilefsky|first2=Dan}}

{{Cite news|last1=Mercer |first1=Greg |last2=Jones |first2=Lindsay |last3=Pruden |first3=Jana |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-nova-scotia-shooter-acted-alone-during-rampage-rcmp-say/|title=RCMP defend not sending emergency alert before Nova Scotia gunman was killed |date=April 23, 2020|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=April 23, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423151005/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-nova-scotia-shooter-acted-alone-during-rampage-rcmp-say/|archive-date=April 23, 2020}}

{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Sean|url=https://www.vox.com/world/2020/4/19/21227349/mass-shooting-nova-scotia-canada-enfield-portapique|title=What we know about a mass shooting in Nova Scotia, Canada|date=April 19, 2020|access-date=April 19, 2020|website=Vox}}

}}

• [https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/we-mourn-for-their-families-teacher-nurse-cancer-survivor-among-n-s-shooting-spree-victims-1.4903446 Nova Scotia shooting victims: Nurse, RCMP officer, teacher among those mourned]. CTV News. April 23, 2020.
• [https://cbcgem.app/fz2cuT2ryNcMEmuA8 Thirteen Deadly Hours: The Nova Scotia Shooting]. The Fifth Estate documentary; first aired November 23, 2020. [https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/nova-scotia-shooting-13-deadly-hours Accompanying interactive feature] published November 22, 2020.

{{Mass shootings in Canada}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nova Scotia attacks, 2020}}

Category:Arms trafficking

Attacks

Category:2020 murders in Canada

Category:2020 mass shootings in North America

Category:21st-century mass murder in Canada

Category:April 2020 crimes in North America

Category:April 2020 in Canada

Category:Residential building arson attacks in Canada

Category:Arson in 2020

Category:Articles containing video clips

Category:Attacks in Canada in 2020

Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2020

Category:Canadian commissions and inquiries

Category:Canadian police officers killed in the line of duty

Category:Deaths by firearm in Nova Scotia

Category:Massacres in 2020

Category:Massacres in Canada

Category:Mass shootings in Nova Scotia

Category:Murder in Nova Scotia

Category:Provincial commissions and inquiries in Canada

Category:Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Category:Spree shootings in Canada

Category:2020s fires in North America

Category:21st-century fires in Canada

Category:Mass shootings involving AR-15–style rifles

Category:Mass shootings involving Glock pistols

Category:Attacks on warehouses

Category:Warehouse fires