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Arrest made in rural N.S. community shooting: RCMP

By Nikitha Martins

Posted April 19, 2020 7:24 am.

Last Updated April 19, 2020 11:33 am.

HALIFAX (NEWS 1130) – The suspect in an active shooter investigation in rural Nova Scotia has been arrested and is now in custody, according to police.

51-year-old Gabriel Wortman had been considered armed and dangerous and may have been wearing an RCMP uniform.

Gabriel Wortman, suspect in active shooter investigation, is now in custody. More information will be released when available. Thank you for your cooperation and support. #Colchester

— RCMP Nova Scotia (@RCMPNS) April 19, 2020

Officers were initially called out for a firearms complaint in the town of Portapique Saturday night. The public was asked to avoid the area and stay in their homes with doors locked.

Mounties later tweeted Wortman may have been driving a vehicle that resembled a police cruiser.

A later tweet said he was driving a small silver Chevrolet SUV.

N.S. RCMP will host a press conference at 2:00 p.m. PST Sunday to provide further details on the incident.

During Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s daily COVID-19 update in Ottawa, he briefly addressed Sunday’s shooting.

“My hearts go out to everyone affected in what is a terrible situation,” he told reporters. “I want to thank the police for their hard work, and people for cooperating with authorities.”

RCMP offices in B.C. have also tweeted out support for fellow officers and sharing condolences to victims.

“We are shocked and saddened to hear about the situation in Nova Scotia, and we send the sincerest of condolences to the victims and their families. We applaud RCMP N.S. in their excellent dedication in capturing the suspect. We are thinking of you, Nova Scotia,” reads a tweet from Ridge Meadows RCMP.

We are shocked and saddened to hear about the situation in Nova Scotia and we send the sincerest of condolences to the victims and their families. We applaud @RCMPNS in their excellent dedication in capturing the suspect. We are thinking of you Nova Scotia

— Ridge Meadows RCMP (@RidgeRCMP) April 19, 2020

We are thinking of our colleagues with @RCMPNS and all the people of Nova Scotia during this tragic time. https://t.co/5Sf0n1Hz9q

— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) April 19, 2020

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