Redactions in court documents about shooting raise eyebrows

Before a search warrant document related to the Nova Scotia mass shooting was released to reporters Tuesday, sections of it were redacted by Crown prosecutors in consultation with the RCMP, including details about the firearms the shooter used.

At the top of the 40-page document, investigators list the various items they expect to find at Gabriel Wortman’s properties. The list includes firearms, ammunition, explosives and chemicals. But a fifth item is blacked out.

Later in the document, an investigator writes that rifles and pistols were found in Wortman’s vehicle when he was gunned down by police. But other details are blacked out, including the source of the weapons.

The court record, used by investigators to obtain a search warrant, did offer new observations into the shooter’s character. It quotes witnesses who described him as someone who exhibited paranoia, who was a “sociopath” and who thought he was “better” than police.

But throughout the document, words, sentences and entire paragraphs are blacked out. Sean Holman, a journalism professor at Mount Royal University, said he was troubled that the names of most witnesses were withheld.

There are times when the identity of a source or witness needs to be shielded, for protection from reprisals for example, Holman said, adding that withholding names needs to be done judiciously.

“If we can’t verify what a witness has said, it makes it difficult to hold law enforcement officials accountable.”

Holman said there could be valid reasons for redacting parts of the document, but it’s troubling when authorities are “stingy” releasing information the public has a right to know.

The unsealing of other court documents is expected in the coming days.