Canada’s Deadliest Mass Shooting Unfolded from Behind Closed Doors
Lisa Banfield, a survivor of domestic abuse, has shared her harrowing experiences in a new book titled The First Survivor: Life with Canada’s Deadliest Mass Shooter. Her partner for 19 years, Gabriel Wortman, was responsible for the tragic mass shooting that claimed 22 lives in Nova Scotia over April 18-19, 2020. Banfield’s narrative sheds light on the connection between domestic violence and broader societal violence, emphasizing that issues confined behind closed doors can erupt into public tragedies.
Background of the Mass Shooting
On the night of April 18, 2020, Wortman, disguised as a Mountie, began a 13-hour shooting spree across a 200-kilometre area in rural Nova Scotia, resulting in 22 deaths. This violent incident marked one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings, raising questions about the underlying factors that contribute to such escalations.
Lisa Banfield’s Journey
Banfield candidly recounts her abusive relationship with Wortman. Initially, he displayed love and affection through gifts, but this was soon overshadowed by a pattern of coercive control and psychological abuse. He isolated her, manipulated her financially, and threatened harm to her family, creating an atmosphere of fear and dependency.
The Impact of Domestic Violence
- Wortman had been abused as a child, possibly contributing to his violent behavior.
- Banfield’s childhood was also marked by trauma, leading to difficulties in forming healthy adult relationships.
- Both individuals’ backgrounds emphasize the link between early exposure to violence and later violent behaviors.
Experts, including trauma therapist Kristina Fifield, urge the need for early intervention programs addressing gender-based violence. They highlight that boys who experience abuse are at a higher risk of becoming abusive as adults.
The Events of April 2020
On their anniversary, the violence escalated dramatically. Following a night of conflict, Wortman assaulted Banfield and set fire to their home in Portapique, locking her in the replica RCMP cruiser that he would later use for his rampage. In a desperate escape, she fled into the woods, terrified for her life.
Survivor’s Guilt and Community Response
Banfield struggles with survivor’s guilt, facing stigma from the community as some blame her for Wortman’s actions. After facing charges related to assisting Wortman, which were later dropped, she has sought understanding and forgiveness from the victims’ families. However, many have expressed their pain over her visibility in the narrative surrounding the mass shooting.
Criticism and Reflection
The release of Banfield’s book has received mixed reactions. Some family members of the victims argue it distracts from their suffering and emphasizes her narrative. Tammy Oliver-McCurdie, who lost family members in the shooting, criticized Banfield’s story as exploitative. Nevertheless, Banfield maintains that her experiences can empower others facing domestic violence to seek help.
Fifield notes that Banfield’s revelations may inspire women to identify unhealthy patterns in their own relationships. They both advocate for trauma-informed approaches within law enforcement and societal attitudes towards victims, aiming to shift perceptions and responses to domestic abuse.
The events surrounding Canada’s deadliest mass shooting remain pivotal, underscoring the urgent need to address domestic violence as a critical public health issue. The stories of survivors like Banfield provide valuable insights into the broader implications of intimate partner violence.
