Mass shooting leaves at least 18 dead in Canada

A gunman disguised as a police officer went on the deadliest shooting rampage in Canadian history this weekend. The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman, shot and killed the first of his victims on Saturday night at a home in the small town of Portapique, Nova Scotia. He then randomly attacked others and set homes on fire in the province over the next 12 hours, leaving at least 18 dead. Officers caught up with Wortman at a gas station near Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Sunday morning. Police said the suspect died but gave no details.

What was his motive? Authorities continue to investigate what prompted the attacks but said Wortman acted alone and many of his victims appeared not to know him. Among the dead was Constable Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a mother of two.

Dig deeper: Read The Canadian Press’ report on the deadliest mass killings in Canada since the 1970s.

Editor’s note: WORLD has updated this report since its initial posting.