A gunman killed at least 16 people, including one Mountie, during a weekend shooting rampage in small-town Nova Scotia, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.

“Our important investigational work is continuing. Out of respect for the families who have yet to be notified, we cannot provide any additional information at this time,” said RCMP National Headquarters spokeswoman Catherine Fortin in a statement to CNN.

At a media conference Sunday evening, police described chaos with multiple 911 calls coming in late Saturday at a property in Portapique, Nova Scotia.

“When police arrived at the scene the members located several casualties inside and outside of the home,” RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather told reporters.

Police said they are not certain how many people died or were injured.

The deceased officer was identified as Constable Heidi Stevenson, a mother of two and 23-year veteran of the RCMP. Another officer is in the hospital receiving treatment for non-life threatening injuries he suffered in the incident, the RCMP said on Facebook.

Leather said a search for the suspect lasted overnight and led them to several crime scenes miles apart. The suspect was eventually spotted late Sunday morning at a truck stop.

“The search for the suspect ended this morning when the suspect was located and I can confirm that he is deceased,” said Leather.

Nova Scotia RCMP identified the suspected gunman as Gabriel Wortman, 51. He eluded police for several hours overnight Sunday as fires were reported in many locations in the area.

The manhunt was complicated by the fact that the suspect is believed to have been wearing as least part of what looked to be an RCMP uniform, and may have been driving a vehicle made to look like a police car, Leather said.

“Of course that’s an important element in the investigation, the fact that this individual had a uniform and a police car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act,” Leather said.

But Leather said it was too early in the investigation to tell what the gunman’s motivation was and that some victims “appeared not to have a relationship with the assailant shooter.”

A law enforcement told CNN earlier that authorities were searching half a dozen crime scenes, beginning in Portapique and stretching to Enfield, where the suspect was apprehended.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police had warned the public on Twitter that Wortman may have been wearing a RCMP uniform and driving a silver Chevrolet Tracker that appeared to be a police vehicle. But they clarified that he was not employed by the RCMP.

Stephen McNeil, the premier of Nova Scotia, called the shooting spree “one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province’s history.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted, “Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the shooting,” adding “we’re keeping all of you in our thoughts.”

National Police Union President Brian Sauvé said members’ “hearts are heavy with grief and sadness today as we have lost one of our own.” He praised the officers who helped end the attack.

“A second dedicated Member was injured in the line of duty today. We will do everything we can to support them and wish them a full recovery.”

In a statement, Canadian Minister of Public Safety Bill Blair said it was a “truly heartbreaking day for all of Canada.”