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| At Least 10 Killed in Nova Scotia Shooting, Police Say | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A police officer and a 51-year-old gunman were dead after a 12-hour shooting rampage in Nova Scotia in which at least 10 people were killed, the police said Sunday. | |
| The authorities responded to reports of a shooting about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday in the area of Portapique Beach Road, Bay Shore Road and Five Houses Road in Portapique, a small rural community about 35 miles from Truro, Nova Scotia. | The authorities responded to reports of a shooting about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday in the area of Portapique Beach Road, Bay Shore Road and Five Houses Road in Portapique, a small rural community about 35 miles from Truro, Nova Scotia. |
| Police confirmed at a news conference on Sunday afternoon that at least 10 people were killed in multiple locations during the 12-hour rampage, which ended at a gas station. It was not immediately clear if that figure included the gunman. | |
| Earlier on Sunday, Brian Sauvé, president of the National Police Federation, a union that represents members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said in a statement that one officer had been killed and another was injured in the shooting. The identities of the officers were not immediately released. | |
| “We are heavy with grief and sadness today as we have lost one of our own,” Mr. Sauvé said. “A second dedicated Member was injured in the line of duty today. We will do everything we can to support them and wish them a full recovery.” | “We are heavy with grief and sadness today as we have lost one of our own,” Mr. Sauvé said. “A second dedicated Member was injured in the line of duty today. We will do everything we can to support them and wish them a full recovery.” |
| The authorities identified the gunman as Gabriel Wortman, 51, whom the CBC described as a denturist who owned real estate in Halifax, the provincial capital. It was not immediately clear what the motive for the shooting was. | |
| During the manhunt, the authorities warned residents about Mr. Wortman and counseled them to stay inside and to lock themselves indoors. | During the manhunt, the authorities warned residents about Mr. Wortman and counseled them to stay inside and to lock themselves indoors. |
| “He is considered armed and dangerous,” Corporal Croteau said. “We are asking the public if you see him, not to approach.” | “He is considered armed and dangerous,” Corporal Croteau said. “We are asking the public if you see him, not to approach.” |
| Canadians and residents of Nova Scotia — a province on the Atlantic coast known for its fishing industry — and Halifax, a port city, were shocked by the violence in a small sleepy, rural area. | Canadians and residents of Nova Scotia — a province on the Atlantic coast known for its fishing industry — and Halifax, a port city, were shocked by the violence in a small sleepy, rural area. |
| During a news media briefing on Sunday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada briefly touched on the tragedy and thanked the police for their work. | During a news media briefing on Sunday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada briefly touched on the tragedy and thanked the police for their work. |
| “My heart goes out to everyone affected in what is a terrible situation,” he said. | “My heart goes out to everyone affected in what is a terrible situation,” he said. |
| Stephen McNeil, the premier of Nova Scotia, called the rampage “one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province’s history” at a time when Nova Scotia, like the rest of the country, was being buffeted by Covid-19. | Stephen McNeil, the premier of Nova Scotia, called the rampage “one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province’s history” at a time when Nova Scotia, like the rest of the country, was being buffeted by Covid-19. |
| “To the families of the victims and to those who are still feeling afraid, my heart goes out to you,” he said. “Know that all Nova Scotians are with you.” | “To the families of the victims and to those who are still feeling afraid, my heart goes out to you,” he said. “Know that all Nova Scotians are with you.” |
| Tom Taggart, a council member in Colchester, which includes Portapique, lives two miles from the rural community. | Tom Taggart, a council member in Colchester, which includes Portapique, lives two miles from the rural community. |
| “It’s really cottage country,” he said on Sunday, adding that the community is home to about 50 to 60 residents and as many as 200 during the summer. | “It’s really cottage country,” he said on Sunday, adding that the community is home to about 50 to 60 residents and as many as 200 during the summer. |
| Like other residents, he said he had heard the updates from the police on Sunday morning to stay indoors because a gunman was on the loose. | Like other residents, he said he had heard the updates from the police on Sunday morning to stay indoors because a gunman was on the loose. |
| “It just escalated from there,” he said. “People live here because it is safe and secure, we think. This stuff is not supposed to happen here.” | “It just escalated from there,” he said. “People live here because it is safe and secure, we think. This stuff is not supposed to happen here.” |
| He added: “These are real people that just went to bed last night thinking that everything is another day and now things, are just, I can’t imagine. It’s tragic.” | He added: “These are real people that just went to bed last night thinking that everything is another day and now things, are just, I can’t imagine. It’s tragic.” |
| Darcy Sack, a resident of Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, told the CBC that she and a friend had seen the gunman’s silver vehicle as well as two police cars on fire on Sunday morning. | Darcy Sack, a resident of Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, told the CBC that she and a friend had seen the gunman’s silver vehicle as well as two police cars on fire on Sunday morning. |
| She said that they then heard two gunshots and saw a police officer running toward the vehicles. | She said that they then heard two gunshots and saw a police officer running toward the vehicles. |
| Mr. Wortman led the authorities on an extended search. | Mr. Wortman led the authorities on an extended search. |
| At first, the police believed he might have been driving what appeared to be an R.C.M.P. vehicle and wearing an R.C.M.P. uniform, the authorities said on Twitter. | At first, the police believed he might have been driving what appeared to be an R.C.M.P. vehicle and wearing an R.C.M.P. uniform, the authorities said on Twitter. |
| The authorities said that one difference between his car and official police vehicles was the car’s number, which was 28B11, on the rear passenger window. | The authorities said that one difference between his car and official police vehicles was the car’s number, which was 28B11, on the rear passenger window. |
| “If you see 28B11 call 911 immediately,” the police said on Twitter. The authorities emphasized that Mr. Wortman was not an employee of the R.C.M.P. | “If you see 28B11 call 911 immediately,” the police said on Twitter. The authorities emphasized that Mr. Wortman was not an employee of the R.C.M.P. |
| The authorities then said that he switched vehicles and was seen driving a silver Chevrolet Tracker in the Milford area. | The authorities then said that he switched vehicles and was seen driving a silver Chevrolet Tracker in the Milford area. |
| Krista Wood, a spokeswoman for Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro, said the hospital went into lockdown on Saturday night. She said the hospital was cooperating with the authorities but would not confirm whether it was treating victims from the shooting. | Krista Wood, a spokeswoman for Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro, said the hospital went into lockdown on Saturday night. She said the hospital was cooperating with the authorities but would not confirm whether it was treating victims from the shooting. |