A gunman, who was dressed as a police officer and disguised his car to look like a police vehicle, killed at least 17 in rampage in Nova Scotia, according to Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) spokesman Daniel Brien.

The shooter was identified by police as Gabriel Wortman, 51, who was thought to live part of the time in Portapique.

“Today is a devastating day for Nova Scotia and it will remain etched in the minds of many, for years to come. What has unfolded overnight and into this morning is incomprehensible and many families are experiencing the loss of a loved one,” Nova Scotia RCMP Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner Lee Bergerman said in a statement.

“That includes our own RCMP family. It is with tremendous sadness that I share with you that we lost Cst. Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year veteran of the Force who was killed this morning, while responding to an active shooter incident,” Bergerman added.

The suspect was stopped about 90 kilometres away in Enfield. According to local reports, a body was seen lying at the gas station but police didn’t comment on whether it was the shooter, Gabriel Wortman.

ILKHA