Death toll in Nova Scotia shooting rises to 19

The death toll from a Novia Scotia shooting rose to at least 19 and authorities may still identify more victims as the investigation continues, Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Monday. 

Chief Supt. Chris Leather said at a briefing that some but not all of the victims were known to the gunman, and he expects the number of people killed to rise as police investigate the 16 crime scenes, according to CBC News. 

“That part of the investigation is still very much ongoing and again speaks to why we don’t have a final total because we suspect that to rise in the coming days,” Leather told reporters. 

Police said Sunday that bodies were found in and outside of homes in the small, rural town that was already under lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Among the fatalities is Heidi Stevensen, a 23-year veteran of the police force. 

Police identified the suspected shooter as 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman, who officials said is dead. 

Leather said that Wortman was wearing what appeared to be a police uniform, which helped him move around the province undetected.

–This report was updated at 12:47 p.m.