April 17, 2025
The Municipality of Cumberland is lowering flags in remembrance of the mass shooting victims
Flags at all municipal properties will be lowered to half-mast beginning Thursday, April 17, 2025, and remaining in that position until Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in recognition of the fifth anniversary of the 2020 mass shooting that touched many communities in northern Nova Scotia, including Cumberland County.
Municipality of Cumberland Mayor Rod Gilroy is urging residents to pause for a moment of silence at noon on April 18 and April 19.
“It’s important for us as a community to pause, reflect and remember the lives lost and honour the survivors, the families and all of those who have been impacted,” Mayor Gilroy said. “No amount of time will ever diminish the horrible memories of those days.”
Residents, businesses, and community organizations that fly flags are also encouraged to lower them to half-mast April 18-19.
Twenty-two people, plus an unborn child, were killed by a gunman beginning on the night of April 18, 2020, in Portapique and ending on April 19, 2020, when the gunman was shot and killed at a gas station in Enfield. Four of the people killed were residents of Wentworth, including Sean McLeod, Alannah Jenkins, Lillian Campbell, and Tom Bagley.
Remembering and reflecting on the events of 2020 may affect Nova Scotians in different ways.
People in need of emotional support can call 211 to reach a community resource navigator who can connect them with help.
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call the provincial mental health and addictions crisis line anytime at 1-888-429-8167.
Information on mental health services and support can also be found online at:
