Canada shooting: Denturist Gabriel Wortman, 51, accused of killing 10 while disguised as Mountie in 12-hour spree

The gunman owns multiple properties in Portapique and Dartmouth

(AP/Police handout)

The 51-year-old gunman who opened fire across the northern part of the Nova Scotia province in Canada has been identified as denture-maker Gabriel Wortman, Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) confirmed.

He started his shooting spree on Saturday evening in the rural town of Portapique at a home. Police have not confirmed if it was he owned the home where the crime spree started.

Wortman was from the community and owned three properties in Portapique and three in Dartmouth, CBC reported.

One of the properties in Dartmouth the gunman owned was a denture clinic. He worked as a denturist in the Halifax area.

Initially, people thought Wortman was connected with the RCMP police after he wore part of what looked to be a Mountie uniform and drove an officer car during part of his spree on Saturday into Sunday.

RCMP later confirmed the man had no connection to them.

“The fact that this individual had a uniform and a police car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act,” RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said about the homicides.

In 2014, Wortman was in the news after he responded to a CTV story about a cancer survivor who lost her teeth and could not afford to replace them. He offered to make her a pair for free through his denture business.

“My heart went out to her,” Wortman said at the time. “There’s so many ways for people to get dentures, but it seems like the people who really need them are the people who are getting left behind.”

Police entered into a search for the gunman on Saturday night that spanned multiple areas of the northern province before it all came to an end at an Enfield gas station.

Wortman was confirmed dead by the RCMP after he was arrested.

It was confirmed on Sunday Wortman killed at least 10 people during his deadly spree, including RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson, who was a 23-year veteran with the force. She was killed in the line of duty when responding to active shooter threat.