Gunman drew police attention years earlier

HALIFAX • The gunman who killed 22 people in rural Nova Scotia had been on the radar of police up to a decade before his two-day rampage in April 2020.

A report tabled Tuesday by the public inquiry into the killings says Gabriel Wortman was investigated on at least two and possibly three occasions. The first occurred in June 2010 when RCMP in Moncton, N.B., were contacted by the gunman's uncle. Glynn Wortman told Const. Len Vickers that his nephew, who lived in the Halifax area, had threatened to kill his parents. Later that day, Vickers informed Sgt. Cordell Poirier of Halifax Regional Police that he had also received a complaint from Wortman's father, Paul, about a death threat from his son.

Poirier's report says he and another officer went to the killer's home in Dartmouth, N.S., where they spoke to his spouse, Lisa Banfield, at 3:25 a.m.

The document says Banfield said Wortman, who was sleeping, had been upset over a letter about a property battle with his parents. Poirier asked Banfield if there were any weapons in the home and she said no.

Poirier checked with the Canadian Firearms Registry and reported that “If the perpetrator has any weapons they are not registered.” The document states Wortman had never applied for a firearms licence.

Poirier's report said he spoke with Gabriel Wortman, who told him he had a pellet gun and two inoperable antique muskets.

The sergeant contacted RCMP Const. Greg Wiley, who said he was a friend of Wortman's and would attempt to meet him.

However, Poirier reported closing the file on Aug. 26, 2010. Meanwhile, the inquiry said Wiley told the inquiry's investigators he couldn't recall speaking with Poirier.

A second threat, this one against police, prompted a warning from the Truro, N.S., police nearly a year later. On May 4, 2011 an officer safety bulletin was issued to police agencies about Wortman written by Cpl. Greg Densmore, who warned that Wortman “wants to kill a cop.”

The bulletin was based on information from an unnamed person who told police that Wortman was in possession of at least one handgun and several long rifles.

Poirier reported that he spoke to Densmore and to Wortman's father before contacting Bible Hill RCMP, where Const. John McMinn said he was unaware of the bulletin. Poirier said he provided McMinn with his report. The third incident involves a call to police on July 6, 2013 by an ex-neighbour in Portapique. Brenda Forbes told the inquiry commission that she reported her belief about illegal weapons during a complaint about a domestic violence incident involving Banfield.

However, RCMP record searches indicate the responding officers took “minimal notes.” Much of the information had since been purged.