Gabriel Wortman Shooting: Nova Scotia Mass Attack That Left 22 Dead After 13-Hour Rampage
Gabriel Wortman carried out a 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia, killing 22 people over 13 hours before being shot dead by police.
NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA — The Gabriel Wortman shooting refers to one of the deadliest mass shooting incidents in Canadian history, which unfolded over a 13-hour period in April 2020 and left 22 people dead before the gunman was killed by police.
What happened
On the night of April 18, 2020, Gabriel Wortman, a denturist from Nova Scotia, began a violent rampage across multiple communities in the province. He carried out shootings, set fires, and targeted both acquaintances and random civilians while traveling through rural areas and towns.
The attack began in Portapique and spread across several locations over the course of the night and into the following day, covering more than 100 kilometers as police attempted to track him down.
Victims and damage
By the end of the rampage, 22 people had been killed and several others injured. Victims included neighbors, community members, and an RCMP officer who was responding to the situation.
Investigators later confirmed that some victims were personally known to Wortman, while others appeared to have been randomly targeted during the attack.
Police response
Law enforcement agencies across Nova Scotia launched a large-scale manhunt as reports of multiple shootings and fires came in. Police engaged Wortman during the pursuit, and he was ultimately shot and killed by RCMP officers in Enfield, Nova Scotia.
Authorities later confirmed that Wortman had disguised himself as a police officer at points during the attack, using a vehicle modified to resemble an RCMP cruiser, which initially complicated the response.
Investigation findings
Subsequent investigations and public inquiries revealed gaps in communication and emergency response coordination during the unfolding crisis. Officials reviewed how information about the suspect and his movements was shared with the public during the incident.
Suspect background
Wortman was a 51-year-old denturist with no official connection to law enforcement. He had a history of prior violence and legal issues, which were later examined as part of broader investigations into his background and motive.
Impact
The Nova Scotia shooting led to national mourning in Canada and sparked major discussions about policing response systems, emergency alerts, and gun control policies. It remains one of the most devastating mass casualty events in the country’s modern history.