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Survivor's Haunting Account of Canada's Deadliest Shooting
27 Jan
Summary
- Lisa Banfield details years of abuse and terror by her husband.
- Wortman's paranoia escalated during the pandemic, leading to stockpiling.
- Banfield escaped and hid before discovering the massacre's scale.
Lisa Banfield has broken her silence about the 13-hour rampage by her common-law husband, Gabriel Wortman, which resulted in 22 deaths in Nova Scotia, Canada's deadliest mass shooting. In her book, 'The First Survivor,' Banfield recounts years of coercive control, abuse, and fear.
Wortman's mental state deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic, fueling paranoia about societal collapse. He stockpiled weapons, withdrew significant funds, and grew increasingly volatile. A confrontation on April 17, 2020, the eve of their anniversary, preceded the tragic events.
On April 18, 2020, Wortman abducted Banfield at gunpoint, set their cottage ablaze, and forced her into a replica RCMP vehicle. She managed to escape and hid in a tree hollow overnight. Emerging at daylight, she sought help, unaware of the massacre.
Wortman, disguised as an RCMP officer, killed 13 neighbors in Portapique that night and nine more the following day across Nova Scotia. He was killed by police after a shootout. Investigators struggled to identify a motive for the meticulously planned attack.
Banfield, initially scrutinized, was later recognized by the Mass Casualty Commission as the first victim, having endured 19 years of abuse culminating in the tragedy. She continues to grapple with survivor's guilt and fear.
