The Ragtag Daily Prompt today is FLUTTER
Our news media today is aflutter with news of the recent tragedy here in Canada. Our flags at flying at half-mast and our hearts are sorrowing this morning as we read the details of the worst mass shooting in Canadian history: seventeen innocent people in Nova Scotia plus the suspect shot to death.
For Canadians the incident is doubly shocking and grievous, partly because something as senseless as this would happen in some small Nova Scotia communities — no one yet has any idea what triggered this rampage — and worse, because the killer went out dressed as an member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, our cross-country law enforcers.
The shootings began about 10:00 pm Saturday evening when a Dartmouth denturist named Gabriel Wortman, age 51, wearing full uniform and vest of an RCMP officer, went out to shoot people. He’d painted his car to look like an RCMP vehicle, and in one case he stopped a car and shot the occupants. He set fire to his own building and several others and shot the occupants as they fled.
According to news reports, Portapique is a beach-side town of about 100 residents on Nova Scotia’s Cobequid Bay, about a 90-minute drive from Halifax. The suspect owned two large properties on Portapique Beach Road, where the shootings started on Saturday night. The gunman then left this area and drove to a couple of other towns, was finally shot and killed around 9:00 am yesterday morning at a gas station in Enfield, NS. One officer was also killed in the effort to stop the suspect.
Our hearts ache for all these people and their families, including the troubled man who saw no better solution to his problems than to commit this deed.
I’ve given a very loose sketch here, you may well have read about this in your own news, and more details will be available as investigators piece the story together. And if anyone reads this who’s been directly affected by this horror, please accept my deepest sympathies.
Sunday morning my husband and I listened to messages from two different pastors, Pastor Hank from his home in Quebec, and our local pastor Warren. Later in the day we heard two other inspiring talks, a speaker from CA and one from MB. Then gospel songs from two different small groups — all thanks to Listen to church.com — giving us hope and courage in these uncertain times. Conversely, more details were trickling in about this tragedy in Nova Scotia. Such a sad contrast!
Christine's Collection 
Heartbreaking☹️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, and so well planned, it looks like! Coming in the midst of this lock-down, too; as one news reporter claims, “The families won’t even be able to properly comfort each other and mourn.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a senseless act. I feel numb. It’s heartbreaking to see the pictures of some of the victims and hear the testimonies about them from family and friends. It doesn’t make sense.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No it doesn’t. I see my figures are out of date, as another body has been found and news reports say police fear they may find more in the buildings he set fire to — a dozen or so. Horrific!
LikeLike
A dreadful event that sent shockwaves around the world. Why?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Several corrections officers and families were killed; it appears they were targeted. Police may sometime be able to come up with a “Why” but who can say what goes on in a person’s mind?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shock and speechless. Saying prayers for those affected.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your comment. I confess: we’ve been a mite smug. Mass murder just doesn’t happen here in rural Canada — or didn’t. 😦
LikeLike
I wonder if this the effect of mental breakdown due to Covid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No one knows if, in some twisted way, he wanted to make a big splash in the news now, but it does seem he planned this for months at least. He bought and doctored up a cruiser and obtained a uniform. Not spur-of-the-moment things. And he was targeting a few individuals.
LikeLike
This man was a long time planning and preparing. His heart was evil, and people suffered because of it. My heartfelt condolences to your nation, and to the people personally affected. It’s horrible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It wasn’t just a sudden “going berserk” Evidently he did thoroughly plan this, even to having two vehicles ready. And starting so many fires as a cover. Too well planned.
LikeLike
This was such a stunningly awful act. I refuse to wiite his name.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right Dale. As more details come in we get a bigger picture, more idea of how well he planned this. Definitely evil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just a level of awful I cannot fathom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And do dress up as an RCMP. Talk about snake!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was the lowest of the low…
LikeLiked by 1 person
A horrible tragedy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
True.
LikeLike
It is a painful thing to endure as a country and as citizens. A heartbreaking, painful thing. Thank you for your information.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess no place is safe from some one who lets anger and evil take control. Thanks for your comment.
LikeLike
Yes, a sad day for all those affected families, and Canada, for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your comment. I hope the families are finding ways to cope in this situation.
LikeLiked by 1 person