An RCMP officer was among a minimum of 16 individuals killed throughout a shooting rampage that began on Saturday night in Nova Scotia, and ended after an authorities pursuit and the shooter’s death.
Const. Heidi Stevenson, a 23- year veteran of the force and mom of 2, was killed while another Mountie was entrusted to non-life threatening injuries.
Police stated the shootings appeared to be random, and a few of the victims didn’t appear to have actually known the suspect– who apparently used an RCMP uniform at one point.
” The effect of this event will extend from one part of the province to another,” stated RCMP Chief Supt. Chris Leather throughout a Sunday evening press conference.
The attack is Canada’s deadliest mass shooting.
Statement from Nova Scotia RCMP Commander, Assistant Commissioner Lee Bergerman https://t.co/mV9IcRqe2B pic.twitter.com/yRaL8F8EdS
— RCMP, Nova Scotia (@RCMPNS) April 19, 2020
Police first responded to a firearms complaint and numerous 911 employs the Portapique area, a rural coastal village about a 130 kilometres from Halifax, on Saturday night.
When they showed up, police found numerous individuals dead inside and outside a residence, said Leather, estimating “in excess of 10 individuals” had been killed. It was tough to define the number of victims since “the investigation continues into areas that we have not yet explored throughout the province.”
About 100 individuals live in Portapique year-round, while the population grows with cottagers in the summer.
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki said late Sunday that the victim death toll had actually risen to 16, which exceeds the 1