In what is believed to be Canada's worst mass shooting, a gunman has killed 16 people - including a female police officer - after disguising himself as a policeman, the BBC reports.

The shootings started on Saturday, with the murderous rampage lasting 12 hours and ending in a car chase.

Police have stated that the suspect randomly shot people at different locations in Nova Scotia.

The gunman was killed during a confrontation with police.

When the attacks began, residents of the rural town of Portapique were advised to lock themselves indoors, after it was also reported that the gunman was driving around in what looked like a police car.

Writing in a tweet, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constable (RCMP) identified the suspect as Gabriel Wortman, and stressed that he was "NOT employed by the RCMP but he may be wearing an RCMP uniform".

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On Sunday, authorities were still trying to establish the final death toll on Sunday and warned that there could be more victims.

One of those shot dead was RCMP officer Heidi Stevenson, who had served in the forced for 23 years.

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Nova Scotia RCMP Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner Lee Bergerman posted a tribute to the fallen officer in a Facebook post, writing:

"Today is a devastating day for Nova Scotia and it will remain etched in the minds of many, for years to come.

"What has unfolded overnight and into this morning is incomprehensible and many families are experiencing the loss of a loved one.

"That includes our own RCMP family. It is with tremendous sadness that I share with you that we lost Cst. Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year veteran of the Force who was killed this morning, while responding to an active shooter incident.

"Heidi answered the call of duty and lost her life while protecting those she served."

Commissioner Bergerman added: "Two children have lost their mother and a husband his wife. Parents lost their daughter and countless others lost an incredible friend and colleague."

The commissioner also revealed that another RCMP officer was injured and is in hospital receiving treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki later told CBC News that she believed the gunman had an initial "motivation" at the start of his attack, but then "turned to randomness".

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote in a tweet: "Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the shooting in Nova Scotia. To the Portapique community, we’re keeping all of you in our thoughts. And on behalf of all Canadians, I want you to know that we’re here for you - and we’ll be here for you in the days and weeks ahead."

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Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, said in a statement:

"In the coming days, the RCMP will continue to share information about what happened today. I know the people of Nova Scotia will band together to heal and mourn those who were lost. All Canadians will stand with them."

Ten people have been killed and over 25 have been injured in a mass shooting in one of the deadliest mass shootings to ever take place in Canada.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) says they were contacted with reports of a shooting in Tumbler Ridge in northeast British Columbia shortly after 1PM on Tuesday (February 10).

Six people were found dead inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, with one more dying on the way to hospital, the RCMP confirmed.

Two further people were found dead inside a residence in the community.

The RCMP said in a statement: "As part of the initial response to the active shooting, police entered the school to locate the threat. During the search, officers located multiple victims."

The shooter was later identified as one of the six deceased inside the school, with police stating that they'd sustained a "self-inflicted injury", and the identities of the dead have not yet been made public.

The RCMP revealed that two further people had been airlifted to hospital with "serious or life-threatening injuries," with up to 25 others being "assessed and triaged at the local medical centre for non‑life‑threatening injuries."

Following the tragic events, British Columbia Premier David Eby wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Our hearts are in Tumbler Ridge tonight with the families of those who have lost loved ones.

"Government will ensure every possible support for community members in the coming days, as we all try to come to terms with this unimaginable tragedy."

The shooting took place in Tumbler Ridge. Credit: Elif Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images

According to the Guardian, this is the second-deadliest school shooting in Canada's history.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney added on X: "I am devastated by today’s horrific shootings in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence.

"I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today, and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens.

"Our ability to come together in crisis is the best of our country — our empathy, our unity, and our compassion for each other."

Featured image credit: Mike Campbell/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Tragedy struck Toronto yesterday as 10 people were killed and 15 injured after a rented van swerved across four lanes and hit pedestrians on one of the city's busiest streets. Described as "like nothing anybody had seen before" by a city police officer, the attack has left the capital city of Ontario, Canada, in shock and disbelief, with millions of people across the world expressing their condolences to the bereaved families and others affected on social media. But, with details still scarce today, the question is, what do we actually know so far about the attack that has devastated Canada?

The incident occurred around lunchtime on one of the Toronto's first warm days of the year, with the suspected driver - named on Monday evening as 25-year-old Alek Minassian - heading south on Yonge Street at about 1.30pm local time. Veering the vehicle onto the pavement, the driver began striking down pedestrians, weaving in and out of oncoming traffic for about three kilometres.

Ali Shaker, who was driving near the van at the time, told Canadian broadcast outlet CP24 that the driver appeared to be moving intentionally through the crowd at more than 30 mph, adding: "He just went on the sidewalk. He just started hitting everybody, man. He hit every single person on the sidewalk. Anybody in his way he would hit."

In addition, Witness Phil Zullo told the Canadian Press that he saw people "strewn all over the road" where the incident occurred. "I must have seen about five, six people being resuscitated by bystanders and by ambulance drivers," he stated. "It was awful. Brutal."

After knocking down dozens of innocent pedestrians, the perpetrator allegedly attempted to flee the scene. However, a video captured by a bystander and broadcast on several Canadian outlets, shows that the police eventually surrounded him and a tense standoff ensued.

Heralded for handling the incident without violence, police officer Scott Gilmore has been named by the press as "the officer that didn't shoot". While the details we have so far of the standoff have come only from videos circling on social media, the footage appears to show the lone cop holding fire and shouting at the man to get down to the ground. The driver apparently replies: "Kill me. I have a gun in my pocket...shoot me in the head." In response to his pleas, the officer calmly arrests the suspect without firing any shots.

Multiple news outlets reported the suspect waving a dark object in the direction of police, with some claiming that Minassian was threatening them with a gun. However, police have since confirmed that he did not have a gun, and it remains unclear what exactly he was pointing at the officer.

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When the tragic events hit the news, speculation was rife that the incident may have been a terrorist attack. However, asked if there was any evidence of a connection to international terrorism, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders stated: "Based on what we have there's nothing that has it to compromise the national security at this time."

Furthermore, a senior national government official claimed that authorities had not turned over the investigation to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, something that many have taken as a sign that investigators believe it unlikely that terrorism was the motive. Nonetheless, Saunders - who confirmed that the incident "appeared to be deliberate" - also stated that the investigation was "far from over" and has appealed for witnesses to come forward.

While we are aware of the rough details of the tragic events that unfolded, the facts of the case are still emerging; this includes details of the identity of the suspected perpetrator who left 10 dead and 15 hospitalised. What we do know far so is that Alek Minassian has been reported to be a 25-year-old student who attended Seneca College in Toronto. Not previously known to the police.

Canadian police are currently questioning the suspected driver of the rental van and the police have stated that he is due to appear in court at 10am local time. In the meantime, Toronto - which has earned itself a reputation as a welcoming, tolerant and safe city - is left to grieve the victims of the devastating attack. An outpouring of grief has come from millions of people around the world, including Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who named the incident "a tragic and senseless attack" and offered his "heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed, and my thoughts for a fast and full recovery to those injured."

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Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families and we can only hope that those responsible are brought to justice soon. If you have any information that may help police, please contact the investigation hotline on 416-808-8750

After the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida, in which 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz killed 17 people with an AR-15, there has been a renewed call for common sense gun control laws. (Like, say, not allowing mentally ill teenagers to legally purchase AR-15's, for starters.)

The gun control debate in America is extremely contentious (as I'm sure you can tell by the comments underneath this article!) There have been many, many mass shootings, and after each one, lawmakers have failed to address the issue of gun control (or say "it's not the time to discuss it"). But in this instance, the pressure is on, thanks to the survivors of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The students have refused to remain silent, and emerged as passionate advocates for change.

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Senior student Emma Gonzalez delivered a powerful speech that went viral, criticizing the NRA and the spineless politicians who accept millions of dollars from their lobbyists every year. "Politicians who sit in their gilded House and Senate seats funded by the NRA telling us nothing could have been done to prevent this, we call BS," said Emma. "They say tougher guns laws do not decrease gun violence. We call BS. They say a good guy with a gun stops a bad guy with a gun. We call BS."

On March 24, the students will be going to Washington, D.C. to hold the March For Our Lives. It's a demonstration to raise awareness of the epidemic of gun violence, and demand Congress to pass a "comprehensive and effective bill" to address the problem. The mission statement on their website reads: "Not one more. We cannot allow one more child to be shot at school. We cannot allow one more teacher to make a choice to jump in front of a firing assault rifle to save the lives of students...Our schools are unsafe. Our children and teachers are dying. We must make it our top priority to save these lives."

And there's going to be some famous faces marching with the survivors. George and Amal Clooney have announced that they will be attending the March for Our Lives demonstration, as well as donating $500,000 to help pay for the event. Like many people, the humanitarians were blown away by the students' inspiring speeches and interviews after the tragedy.

"[We] are so inspired by the courage and eloquence of these young men and women from Stoneman Douglas High School," said the Clooneys in a statement. "Our family will be there on March 24 to stand side by side with this incredible generation of young people from all over the country, and in the name of our children Ella and Alexander, we’re donating 500,000 dollars to help pay for this groundbreaking event. Our children’s lives depend on it."

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In fact, the Clooneys are just the beginning. Since their announcement, Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, and Oprah Winfrey have all said they will match the $500,000 pledge. "These inspiring young people remind me of the Freedom Riders of the 60s," tweeted Oprah, "who also said we’ve had ENOUGH and our voices will be heard."

We'll see if Congress listens.

In related news, meet the people who believe that US mass shootings are staged...

Fifteen people have died following a devastating shooting at a bar in Soweto, South Africa.

As reported by BBC News, at least 15 people have died and several others critically injured after gunman began to fire "randomly" into the Orlando East tavern in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Officials say a group of men arrived at the bar in a white minibus taxi, before opening fire on Johannesburg’s Soweto township patrons shortly after midnight.

According to the New York Post, Gauteng province police commissioner Lt. Gen. Elias Mawela said: "The primary investigation suggests that these people were enjoying themselves here, in a licensed tavern operating within the right hours.

"All of a sudden they heard some gunshots, that is when people tried to run out of the tavern. We don’t have the full details at the moment of what is the motive, and why they were targeting these people."

Officials believe the victims to be aged between 19 and 35 years old. Those who were injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

CNN reports that police are yet to determine a motive for the attack.

"I have no doubt that with the cooperation of the community here, we will be able to crack this case," Mawela added.

Following the shooting, the gunmen fled the scene in the white minibus.

Per BBC News, local resident Ntombikayise Meji said: "Bodies were on top of each other with blood all over. We were looking for our loved ones, we had to jump over bodies looking for our brother.

In a press release from the Gauteng province police office, the suspects are said to have been armed with rifles and 9mm pistols.

The identities of the suspects still remain unknown.

Soweto community leader Thaban Moloi has reportedly voiced his anger regarding the amount of time it took for police to arrive at the bar.

Moloi said: "It's terrible, I'm telling you. People don't know what to do. If you were there you could see women and children crying." He claims it took "five hours" for officers to arrive at the scene.

Police have also confirmed that another four people were killed on Sunday in a separate tavern shooting in the south-eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Addressing both tragedies, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in an address that, "as a nation, we cannot allow violent criminals to terrorize us in this way, regardless of where such incidents may occur."

"As government, citizens and structures of civil society we must all work together even more closely to improve social and economic conditions in communities, reduce violent crime and stamp out the illicit circulation of firearms," Ramaphosa added.

The heartbreaking death toll over the weekend comes just weeks after 21 people were found dead in a tavern in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. BBC News reports that the victims in that case are believed to have been killed by gassing or poisoning.

Our thoughts go out to everybody affected by this tragedy.

Featured image credit: Richard Bradley / Alamy