The death toll in rural Nova Scotia continues to grow..RCMP now say at least 19 people have been killed – including a Mountie – by a crazed denturist who used a fake RCMP car and uniforms to aid his murderous spree..It is the deadliest mass murder in Canadian history..RCMP said the death toll is likely to rise as the killer burned five houses to the ground and there is likely to be victims at those scenes. They are investigating a total of 16 crime scenes..RCMP Const. Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year veteran of the force, was killed in the massacre and leaves behind two children and a husband..The suspect, identified earlier as Gabriel Wortman, 51, was shot to death by RCMP after a lengthy manhunt.. Gabriel WortmanKiller Gabriel Wortman .Wortman owns a denture clinic in Dartmouth..A Western Standard source said Wortman had purchased an old RCMP vehicle and had put decals on it and put on an overhead light bar to make it look like the real thing..The source said the incident began as a domestic dispute between Wortman and his beau and another man..The pair were reportedly tied to a tree by Wortman who then shot them, said the source.. copConst. Heidi Stevenson .Two children in the home escaped and told neighbours. When the neighbours investigated they were also shot. The house was then set on fire by Wortman..Wortman then took to area roads in his fake police car..He was able to use the fake car to pull people over, whom he then shot, said the source..Stevenson responded to the call and was shot and killed with Wortman stealing her gun and ammo. At that point Wortman set his fake car and Stevenson’s real car on fire..Wearing a fake police uniform the was able to get additional transportation away from the area..Wortman pulled into a gas station in Enfield to fill up. He pulled in behind an unmarked RCMP vehicle carrying a police dog handler and Tac-Team officer..The source said the officers recognized the suspect and ordered him to surrender..He reached across the seat and was shot by the officers, said the source..Wortman died at the scene..RCMP Chief Supt. Chris Leather said at a Monday press conference three aspects of the incident are now under investigation by a police watchdog..Those include the incident where Wortman was shot and two earlier “use of force” incidents he released no details on..He said Wortman knew some of his victims while others were random..Leather was also faced questioned why the force didn’t use the province’s emergency alert system to tell residents of the rampage and to take shelter. Instead, the RCMP only used Twitter to send out messages..Leather didn’t answer the question but promised one in the hours or days ahread..“There is a significant amount of work for us to do. We will be in this for months to come, I’m sure,” said Leather..He said Wortman’s ability to travel over 50 km was aided by the fake police car and his uniform..He confirmed all the victims of the massacre were adults..All police have said publicly is they were called to the rural area Saturday night in response to an active shooter situation..Another officer was shot during the spree. he was treated and released from hospital..RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki said on CTV: “Our heart goes out… to all of Nova Scotia grieving a senseless act of violence.”.Lucki said the crime scene included building and burnt out vehicles that stretch for more than 50 km..“I’ve heard nothing but great things about what (Stevenson) has done,” said Lucki..Canadians reacted in shock as gun violence is so rare..“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the shooting in Nova Scotia. To the Portapique community, we’re keeping all of you in our thoughts. And on behalf of all Canadians, I want you to know that we’re here for you – and we’ll be here for you in the days and weeks ahead,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted..“I’ve been in contact with Premier @StephenMcNeil, the @CommrRCMPGRC, Minister @BillBlair, and @ZannLenore. I’d like to thank first responders for their work – you have our sincere gratitude for all that you do.”.Nova Scotian Premier Stephen McNeil was stunned by the news..“I never imagined when I went to bed last night that I would wake up to the horrific news that an active shooter was on the loose in Nova Scotia. This is one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province’s history,” McNeil said..Jenny Kierstead said her sister Lisa McCully was one of the victims of the mass shooting in a Facebook post Sunday afternoon..“This is so hard to write but many of you will want to know. Our hearts are broken today as we attempt to accept the loss of my sister, Lisa McCully, who was one of the victims of the mass shooting in Portapique last night,” she wrote..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westewrnstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694. The NDP have become a branch of the Liberals. They may as well make it official.
