A man disguised as a police officer went on a shooting rampage in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia on Sunday, killing 16 people, in the worst such attack in the country for 30 years.
Officials said the suspected shooter, Gabriel Wortman, 51, is also dead. Sources told CTV News that the gunman was killed by police.
A police officer was among those killed by Gabriel Wortman. Several bodies were found inside and outside one home in the small, rural town of Portapique, about 60 miles (100 kilometres) north of Halifax – what police called the first scene.
Bodies were also found at other locations. Authorities believe the shooter may have targeted his first victims but then began attacking randomly.
“This is one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province’s history,” said Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil.
Brien, the RCMP spokesman, said he could not rule out that the death toll could still rise.
Police did not say what the initial motive was. RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said many of the victims did not know the attacker.
“That fact that this individual had a uniform and a police car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act,” Leather said. He added that police believe he acted alone.
