WARNING: The following story contains graphic details
Four children relayed critical information about the mayhem surrounding them in Portapique, N.S. on April 18, 2020.
That’s when Gabriel Wortman would begin a 13-hour rampage which claimed the lives of 22 people and an unborn baby. The children hid from the gunman who had murdered their parents as they told a 9-1-1 operator the killer was disguised as a police officer and driving a mock RCMP cruiser.
The 51-year-old Dartmouth-area denturist owned property in the remote rural community tucked away in the northern part of the province. It’s there he worked on the white Ford cruiser he owned which had lights on the top and nearly identical decals on the sides.
Mass Casualty Commission (MCC) Lawyer Roger Burrill described part of the first 9-1-1 call made by Jamie Blair shortly after 10:00 p.m.
“On the 9-1-1 recording, you hear banging sounds, you hear screaming sounds and the phone line disconnects…(Jamie) Blair was shot at this time through the door of her bedroom protecting her children,” described Burrill. “…the children who at this stage were behind the bed, in the bedroom where their mother was shot, hearing smoke alarms…they fear fire…these are nine and 11-year-olds.”
Transcription of the first 9-1-1 call from Jamie Blair Source: Mass Casualty Commission
They spent two-hours on the phone with the 9-1-1 operator and were checked on three times by RCMP officers in the area and were told to only open the door to someone with the safe word “Pineapple.”
It’s during this time they tell the operator Wortman “would blend in with the cops” because his car was “just like theirs”.
After Wortman left the Blair home, the two boys ran over to Lisa McCully’s house next door to meet up with two other children. By this time, McCully had already been killed.
Burrill said he has listened to the call numerous times and admitted it was “alarming,” and pointed out the children remained calm, responsive, and observant.
“At one point, the kids expressed concern for elderly members of Portapique, given the fires, and expressed concern for officer safety.” said Burrill.
In roughly 45 minutes, 13 people were killed that night in Portapique.
Gabriel Wortman seen driving a replica police cruiser past Wilsons Gas station in Great Village at 10:51 p.m. on April 18. SOURCE: MCC
The inquiry will shift its focus to the RCMP response on Tuesday as it continues at the Halifax Convention Centre. The MCC is expected to submit a report containing their recommendations at the end of their mandate in November.
Resources if you need help
Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line
If you are experiencing overwhelming emotions, distress, or a mental health or addictions crisis, or are concerned about someone who is, the Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This service is for all ages and you can call for yourself or because you have concern for someone else. You do not have to be in a crisis to call and nothing is too big or too small a reason to reach out. The staff responding when you call are skilled crisis clinicians. The NS Provincial Crisis Service can also provide the contacts for other 24/7 crisis services if you live outside of Nova Scotia.
Tel: 1-888-429-8167
211 Nova Scotia
211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that can connect you to thousands of programs and services offered by local community groups, nonprofits and government departments across Nova Scotia, 24/7.
Tel: 2-1-1
