A gunman disguised as a policeman killed at least 18 people, including a female Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer, in a mass shooting in Nova Scotia over the weekend.

According to BBC News, the gunman—identified as 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman—led Royal Canadian Mounted Police on a lengthy vehicle pursuit. The gunman's vehicle was disguised to appear like a patrol car. During the chase, Wortman opened fire on people at random.

RCMP identified the deceased officer as Constable Heidi Stevenson, who had been with the force for 23 years. Another officer was injured in the incident, but is expected to recover.

In a Sunday afternoon address, Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil called the shootings "one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province's history."

The RCMP said on Monday that they believe there may be more victims within the remains of homes torched as part of the weekend's attacks.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that his government was "on the verge" of introducing bans to assault style weapons before parliament was dissolved amid the coronavirus outbreak.

"We have every intention of moving forward" once the outbreak is curbed, he said.