ND EP: 6 - Thirteen Hours of Terror: Nova Scotia Mass Shooting

On April 18–19, 2020, the quiet community of Portapique, Nova Scotia, became the epicenter of a thirteen-hour rampage that claimed 22 lives across multiple towns.

Disguised as a police officer and driving a replica RCMP cruiser, Gabriel Wortman used deception and violence to evade capture, leaving a devastating trail of destruction through rural Nova Scotia.

In this episode, we break down the confirmed facts — the victims, the timeline, the police response, and the aftermath — drawing on official reports and verified news sources. We also examine public criticism of the RCMP’s handling of the crisis, the federal response, and the memorials honoring those lost.

Northern Dark: True Canadian Crime exists to bring light to unsolved cases and events that have left a deep mark on Canadian communities.

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Sources Used:

1. Wikipedia – 2020 Nova Scotia attacks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Nova_Scotia_attacks
2. CBC News – RCMP release new details and timeline of Nova Scotia gunman’s rampage https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/rcmp-new-details-timeline-nova-scotia-manhunt-1.5541561
3. The Signal – Demolition of downtown Dartmouth building welcomed as part of healing process https://signalhfx.ca/demolition-of-downtown-dartmouth-building-welcomed-as-part-of-healing-process/
4. Global News – Court docs reveal more about Nova Scotia gunman’s mindset https://globalnews.ca/news/7348914/nova-scotia-shooting-gunman-mindset-court-docs/
5. Global News – Growing criticism over how RCMP warned public about killer https://globalnews.ca/video/6850607/growing-criticism-over-how-nova-scotia-rcmp-warned-public-about-killer
6. The Guardian – Friends and family pay tribute to Nova Scotia victims https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/20/nova-scotia-shooting-friends-family-pay-tribute-victims
7. CBC News – Permanent memorial to Nova Scotia mass killing victims in Portapique https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/permanent-memorial-to-ns-mass-killing-victims-portapique-1.5581032
8. CTV News – Proposed class action lawsuit filed against NS mass shooter’s estate https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/article/proposed-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-ns-mass-shooters-estate-on-behalf-of-families/