RCMP's decision not to send public alerts central to Nova Scotia mass shooting inquiry
“He usually would check the news on Facebook,” Bagley said in a recent interview, recalling the morning of April 19, 2020 when her father Tom was murdered. “That was his morning routine. But at that point, they weren't showing the perpetrator's face or anything.”
That innocuous statement offered little hint of the unfolding tragedy. By that time, the Mounties at the scene were aware an active shooter had already killed at least two people, wounded another and had set fire to a number of homes. “They're our media people,” he recalled saying. “Get in touch with them so they can get something out … by their normal channels,” which included social media. But the RCMP did not send any other messages to the public that night.
There is evidence, however, the RCMP had reason to be careful about releasing more information to the public, said Christian Leuprecht, a professor at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont., who specializes in police and security issues. Arntfield, a former police officer, said it's also important to recognize the RCMP in rural Nova Scotia were facing an unprecedented situation.
The situation changed at 7:22 a.m. when the killer's spouse emerged from hiding and revealed details about the fourth car and provided a photo of the vehicle. That crucial information was relayed to police at 8:04 a.m. through a BOLO that said the vehicle was loaded with weapons and “could be anywhere in the province.”
It was around that time that Tom Bagley left for his morning walk on Hunter Road in West Wentworth. Investigators believe the former firefighter was fatally shot by the perpetrator as he approached the burning home of neighbours Sean McLeod and Alanna Jenkins. Police believe McLeod and Jenkins were killed in their house some time between 6:35 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Staff Sgt. Bruce Briers, in notes submitted to the inquiry, confirmed that Staff Sgt. Al Carroll - the district commander in Colchester - responded to the request in an email at 9:08 a.m., saying: “Thought was given to give release about vehicle, but decision was made not to.”
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