At least 10 people have died and several injured after a gunman reportedly disguised as a Mountie went on a 12-hour rampage in Nova Scotia.

The suspect in the active shooter investigation was tracked down to a gas station on Sunday after the shooting left “multiple victims”, police said, and has since died.

Gabriel Wortman, 51, was later identified by Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) as the suspect of the shooting, which occurred on Saturday night in the town of Portapique.

When speaking during a press conference, RCMP police confirmed the shooter was now dead.

Earlier on Sunday, it was reported the suspect was driving a car that looked like a police vehicle while wearing a uniform. Later this report was updated, when the man was seen driving a small, silver Chevrolet SUV.

Wortman was not connected to the RCMP.

The police also confirmed the man was dressed up as a Mountie during one point of his rampage.

“It was not a random act,” RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said on Sunday based on the man at one point using a police uniform and car in his attack.

Constable Heidi Stevenson, a 20-year veteran, was killed in the line of duty when responding to the active shooter situation, RCMP confirmed during a press conference.

Officers were first called to the scene on Saturday evening and found numerous casualties inside and outside of the home, a spokesperson said. Wortman was not located in the home at the time.

“Our priority was to secure the area, and we were able to secure the area,” the spokesperson said. “And then we began the search for the suspect.”

The gunman’s shooting spree then spanned across the province from Saturday into Sunday.

RCMP police have not confirmed the exact number of victims but said there were “several casualties”. Who the gunman targetted during the shooting appeared to involve some random bystanders, said Mr Leather.

“It almost certainly will be more than 10,” he added. “We believe it to be one person who is responsible for all the killings and that he alone moved across the northern part of the province and committed what appears to be several homicides.”

Premier Stephen McNeil addressed the investigation Sunday afternoon.

“I never imagined when I went to bed last night that I would wake up to the horrific news that an active shooter was on the loose in Nova Scotia. This is one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province’s history,” Mr McNeil said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also spoke about the incident outside his home on Sunday. ”My heart goes out to everyone affected in what is a terrible situation,” he said. “I want to thank the police for their hard work, and people for cooperating with authorities.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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