Episode 195 - Nova Scotia Nightmare - Inside Canada’s Deadliest Mass Shooting
Dec 25, 2023, 12:00 AM
On the cold spring morning of April 19, 2020, a woman staggered from the woods outside Portapique Nova Scotia. Her bare feet were blackened from running through the woods, and she was covered in scrapes and bruises.
She hammered on the door of a neighbor, who let her inside and called 911.
She told police something had finally snapped in her abusive common-law partner Gabriel Wortman. But by the time she made that phone call, he’d already murdered 13 people and his rampage was far from over.
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Factor - Head to FACTORMEALS.com/madness50 and use code madness50 to get 50% off.
Research & Writing:
Matt Snell
Editing:
Aiden Wolf
Sources:
Alert Ready Emergency Alert System
CBC: Here are the victims of Nova Scotia's mass shooting
CBC: How an RCMP officer escaped and survived after being shot by the N.S. gunman
CBC: How the N.S. gunman convinced people not to report mock cruiser before mass shooting
CBC: How the N.S. gunman convinced people not to report mock cruiser before mass shooting
CBC: How the N.S. gunman got his weapons and who may have helped him in Maine
CBC: How the N.S. mass shooter controlled, exploited women around him
CBC: N.S. gunman fired at spouse before locking her in replica cruiser, documents say
CBC: N.S. mass shooter had a history of intimidation, violent altercations
CBC: N.S. mass shooter preyed on vulnerable denture clients, traded services for sex
CBC: N.S. mass shooter was treated 'like an animal' by his father, family says
CBC: Neighbour reported N.S. mass shooter's domestic violence, weapons to police
CBC: Neighbours tried to warn police about Portapique gunman's abuse, weapons
CBC: RCMP officer visited N.S. gunman at least 16 times, but says he saw no weapons
CBC: RCMP took 19 hours to find parents, daughter killed in Nova Scotia mass shooting in April
CBC: RCMP wanted 2011 tip about N.S. gunman to 'go away': Truro police chief
CBC: Seeking to explain Nova Scotia shootings: Inside the 'threat-sensitive brain'
CBC: Spouse of N.S. mass shooter shows how deadly rampage began in video re-enactment
CBC: The geography of grief: Portapique saddled with the stigma of mass killing
Chatelaine: Lisa Banfield Was Abused For Nearly 20 Years. Her Abuser Murdered 22 People. Why Is She On Trial?
CTV News Atlantic: N.S. mass killer's abuse of spouse had roots going back generations, inquiry hears
CTV News: Court documents say N.S. mass shooter's spouse was beaten, begged for life before escape
CTV News: Detailed portrait emerges of gun acquisitions, cash stockpiles of N.S. mass killer
The Guardian: Nova Scotia shooting: shock and surprise at killings by denturist
The National Post: N.S. mass shooting: Documents show killer was 'paranoid' about COVID-19 pandemic before rampage
Toronto Star: ‘The victims, the heroes, the people who serve’: Here are the faces of the Nova Scotia shooting victims
Twitter: RCMP Nova Scotia
Wikipedia: Population of Canada by province and territory
YouTube: 13 deadly hours: The Nova Scotia mass shooting - The Fifth Estate
YouTube: Suspected gunman Gabriel Wortman well-known in community
CTV News: There's angels among us:' Cancer survivor to receive new dentures
YouTube: Portapique/ NS shooting 911 call- Jamie Blair
CBC:Frantic radio logs reveal confusion, fear as Mounties responded to N.S. shootings
YouTube: Jamie Blair Son's 911 Call (2020 Nova Scotia Attacks)
YouTube: Portapique/ NS shooting 911 Call
Tape from 911 calls during N.S. mass shooting | CTV News
YouTube: Canada's Alert Ready Tones Sound - Free To Use
YouTube: Superintendent Darren Campbell of RCMP Nova Scotia H-Division speaks to Mass Casualty Committee
CBC: Spouse of N.S. mass shooter shows how deadly rampage began in video re-enactment
Foundational Documents: Highway 224 & Enfield Big Stop, Expert Witness: Dr. Matthew Bowes, Participant Submissions
Mass Casualty Commission Public Proceedings: Witnesses: Lia Scanlan and S/Sgt. Addie MacCallum
Mass Casualty Commission: Foundational Documents: Onslow Belmont Fire Brigade Hall & Shubenacadie, Witness Panel: Darrell Currie, Greg Muise and Richard Ellison
YouTube: What was revealed by the Nova Scotia mass shooting inquiry
Mass Casualty Commission: Witness: Lisa Banfield
Mass Casualty Commission: Foundational Document: Perpetrator’s Violent Behaviour Towards Others, Witness: Brenda Forbes
She hammered on the door of a neighbor, who let her inside and called 911.
She told police something had finally snapped in her abusive common-law partner Gabriel Wortman. But by the time she made that phone call, he’d already murdered 13 people and his rampage was far from over.
How to support:
For extra perks including exclusive content, early release, and ad-free episodes -
Go to - Patreon
How to connect:
Website
Please check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:
Zocdoc - Go to zocdoc.com/MADNESS and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today. Many are available within 24 hours.
Better Help - This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp - Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/MADNESS and get on your way to being your best self.
Hello Fresh - Go to HelloFresh.com/madnessfree and use code MADNESSFREE for FREE breakfast for life! One breakfast item per box while subscription is active.
Manly Bands - There's no better time to invest in a Manly Bands wedding ring than right now. We're offering a 25% discount on all wedding rings at ManlyBands.com with code MADNESS.
Liquid IV - Grab your Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free in bulk nationwide at Costco or get 20% off when you go to www.liquid-iv.com and use code MADNESS at checkout.
Skylight Frames - As a special, limited-time offer for our listeners, get $15 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go to skylightframe.com/MADNESS
Nutrafol - For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MADNESS.
Factor - Head to FACTORMEALS.com/madness50 and use code madness50 to get 50% off.
Research & Writing:
Matt Snell
Editing:
Aiden Wolf
Sources:
Alert Ready Emergency Alert System
CBC: Here are the victims of Nova Scotia's mass shooting
CBC: How an RCMP officer escaped and survived after being shot by the N.S. gunman
CBC: How the N.S. gunman convinced people not to report mock cruiser before mass shooting
CBC: How the N.S. gunman convinced people not to report mock cruiser before mass shooting
CBC: How the N.S. gunman got his weapons and who may have helped him in Maine
CBC: How the N.S. mass shooter controlled, exploited women around him
CBC: N.S. gunman fired at spouse before locking her in replica cruiser, documents say
CBC: N.S. mass shooter had a history of intimidation, violent altercations
CBC: N.S. mass shooter preyed on vulnerable denture clients, traded services for sex
CBC: N.S. mass shooter was treated 'like an animal' by his father, family says
CBC: Neighbour reported N.S. mass shooter's domestic violence, weapons to police
CBC: Neighbours tried to warn police about Portapique gunman's abuse, weapons
CBC: RCMP officer visited N.S. gunman at least 16 times, but says he saw no weapons
CBC: RCMP took 19 hours to find parents, daughter killed in Nova Scotia mass shooting in April
CBC: RCMP wanted 2011 tip about N.S. gunman to 'go away': Truro police chief
CBC: Seeking to explain Nova Scotia shootings: Inside the 'threat-sensitive brain'
CBC: Spouse of N.S. mass shooter shows how deadly rampage began in video re-enactment
CBC: The geography of grief: Portapique saddled with the stigma of mass killing
Chatelaine: Lisa Banfield Was Abused For Nearly 20 Years. Her Abuser Murdered 22 People. Why Is She On Trial?
CTV News Atlantic: N.S. mass killer's abuse of spouse had roots going back generations, inquiry hears
CTV News: Court documents say N.S. mass shooter's spouse was beaten, begged for life before escape
CTV News: Detailed portrait emerges of gun acquisitions, cash stockpiles of N.S. mass killer
The Guardian: Nova Scotia shooting: shock and surprise at killings by denturist
The National Post: N.S. mass shooting: Documents show killer was 'paranoid' about COVID-19 pandemic before rampage
Toronto Star: ‘The victims, the heroes, the people who serve’: Here are the faces of the Nova Scotia shooting victims
Twitter: RCMP Nova Scotia
Wikipedia: Population of Canada by province and territory
YouTube: 13 deadly hours: The Nova Scotia mass shooting - The Fifth Estate
YouTube: Suspected gunman Gabriel Wortman well-known in community
CTV News: There's angels among us:' Cancer survivor to receive new dentures
YouTube: Portapique/ NS shooting 911 call- Jamie Blair
CBC:Frantic radio logs reveal confusion, fear as Mounties responded to N.S. shootings
YouTube: Jamie Blair Son's 911 Call (2020 Nova Scotia Attacks)
YouTube: Portapique/ NS shooting 911 Call
Tape from 911 calls during N.S. mass shooting | CTV News
YouTube: Canada's Alert Ready Tones Sound - Free To Use
YouTube: Superintendent Darren Campbell of RCMP Nova Scotia H-Division speaks to Mass Casualty Committee
CBC: Spouse of N.S. mass shooter shows how deadly rampage began in video re-enactment
Foundational Documents: Highway 224 & Enfield Big Stop, Expert Witness: Dr. Matthew Bowes, Participant Submissions
Mass Casualty Commission Public Proceedings: Witnesses: Lia Scanlan and S/Sgt. Addie MacCallum
Mass Casualty Commission: Foundational Documents: Onslow Belmont Fire Brigade Hall & Shubenacadie, Witness Panel: Darrell Currie, Greg Muise and Richard Ellison
YouTube: What was revealed by the Nova Scotia mass shooting inquiry
Mass Casualty Commission: Witness: Lisa Banfield
Mass Casualty Commission: Foundational Document: Perpetrator’s Violent Behaviour Towards Others, Witness: Brenda Forbes