RCMP say there is no evidence supporting the gunman responsible for the Portapique Mass Shooting was linked to organized crime.
This comes after a number of allegations surfaced from recently unsealed ‘Information To Obtain’ documents which suggested the gunman was trafficking illegal guns and drugs into the country.
In their statement, RCMP says only one of their 700+ interviewees made mention of him being involved in any kind of organized crime or the smuggling of drugs. No other witnesses stated the same and no evidence was found to support the claim.
They said witnesses mentioned the gunman had smuggled and sold illegal cigarettes and liquor while he was in college in the Eighties, but noted there was no statements or evidence suggesting he continued doing it prior to the shooting.
Police noted he did have relationships with individuals in Maine who he spoke to and visited frequently, however they said those relationships are still under investigation.
However, they did confirm he had trafficked illegal guns, and had found secret compartments and areas built into his Dartmouth residence.
Police say information suggests those secret compartments were designed to hide illegal firearms, as the shooter had purchased illegal firearms from the states, and at least one time in Canada.
Unfortunately, similar compartments could not be found at the gunman’s other properties, as they had all been burnt down, however reports of witness statements claim a compartment in his garage was used to conceal an illegal, high powered rifle.
The statement also notes the same witness who claimed the gunman was linked to organized crime also claimed he had been involved in other murders and the disposal of bodies before the shooting, however RCMP said that claim was not shared by other interviewees.
RCMP did confirm the gunman worked as a licensed embalmer at a funeral home before becoming a denturist, but investigators had not uncovered any evidence pointing to his involvement with other murders.
Searches of his properties, including the use of ground penetrating radar, turned up no evidence as well.
RCMP said they are still investigating the shooting, and will continue to focus on only facts.
“It is important to ensure that the families who lost loved ones as well as the survivors receive timely updates based on facts known by those directly involved in the investigation,” they said.
“Not assumptions made by any other individual who does not have all of the information available to them.”
Follow Cody McEachern on Twitter at @CodyInhiFi for more.
