The worst mass murderer in Canada’s history was a millionaire dentist with an obsession with the country’s iconic police force, it has been repoted.
Gabriel Wortman was shot dead following a 12-hour shooting and arson spree across Nova Scotia.
The 51-year-old was obsessed with Canada’s mounted police, known as mounties, and bought decommissioned police cars from auctions.
He also had a shrine to them in his Portapique home.
Wortman collected mountie gear which he used to dress up as an officer before carrying out the brutal attack, Mail Online reported.
Amongst his 22 victims was Heidi Stevenson, a mountie and mother-of-two.
They also include an elementary school teacher, a nurse, a care assistant, a family of three, and a husband and wife who leave behind four children.
Wortman reportedly drove around a 30 mile area of Nova Scotia in a fake police car after shooting his ex-wife and her boyfriend.
He abandoned the vehicle after crashing it, leading him to steal a car from a nearby motorist.
(Image: RCMP HALIFAX/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
RCMP chief superintendent Chris Leather said: “His ability to move around the province undetected was surely greatly benefited by the fact that he had a vehicle that looked identical in every way to a marked police car.”
According to Wortman’s neighbours he suffered from an alcohol problem.
His profitable business – the Atlantic Denture Clinic in Dartmouth – had recently been shut due to the coronavirus lockdown.
(Image: RCMP HALIFAX HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
Today the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they have recovered remains from fires.
Earlier, authorities had said at least 18 people were killed in the attack.
Police have warned the death toll will almost certainly rise as investigators comb through homes destroyed by fire.
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Meanwhile, questions emerged on Tuesday about why a public emergency alert was not sent as the rampage ensued. Police provided Twitter updates, but no alert that would have automatically popped up on mobile phones.
The Queen has sent a message of condolence to the people of Nova Scotia following the deadly mass shooting.
The head of state, who is also Queen of Canada, said her thoughts and prayers were with everyone affected by the “appalling” attacks.
The Queen said: “Prince Philip and I have been deeply saddened by the appalling events in Nova Scotia, and we send our condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who have lost their lives,” the Queen said.
(Image: Canadian Press/Shutterstock)
“I also pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other police services who selflessly responded to these devastating attacks, and to the emergency services who are supporting those who have been injured and affected.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Nova Scotia and all Canadians at this tragic time.”
Today Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his administration is moving ahead with stricter gun laws following the 12-hour rampage that began on Saturday night.
“In regards to gun control, we took very serious commitments in the election campaign and have moved forward – and are moving forward on them –
to ensure that we’re strengthening gun control in this country,” Trudeau said.
