For the first time in more than five years, the former spouse of the perpetrator of Canada's deadliest mass shooting is publicly sharing her story of a narrow escape that occurred moments before the rampage began.
A Harrowing Escape Minutes Before Tragedy
In an exclusive interview with CTV National News Chief Anchor and Senior Editor Omar Sachedina, Lisa Banfield detailed the terrifying moments she fled from her former spouse. The interview, published on January 15, 2026, marks the first time Banfield has spoken publicly about the events of that night.
The tragedy, which unfolded in Nova Scotia in April 2020, remains the worst mass shooting in Canadian history. Banfield's account provides a critical and previously unheard perspective from inside the shooter's immediate circle just as the violence was about to erupt.
Breaking a Five-Year Silence
For over half a decade, Lisa Banfield has remained out of the public eye. Her decision to speak now offers new insight into the lead-up to the horrific event that shocked the nation and prompted widespread calls for changes to gun control and police protocols.
The exclusive CTV News feature delves into her personal experience, focusing on her last-minute escape. The details of how she managed to get away and what she witnessed in the critical moments before the shooting spree began are central to her narrative.
Context of a National Tragedy
The Nova Scotia mass shooting resulted in the deaths of 22 people over a 13-hour period across several rural communities. The rampage led to a public inquiry that examined the police response and the shooter's access to firearms.
Banfield's testimony during the inquiry was subject to publication bans, making this televised interview her first opportunity to address the public directly. Her story adds a deeply human dimension to the tragedy, highlighting the fear and confusion experienced by those closest to the assailant.
The interview with Omar Sachedina aired as a CTV NEWS EXCLUSIVE, underscoring the significance of her breaking a long-held silence. The report provides not just a story of escape, but also a glimpse into the life she has rebuilt in the years since the devastating event that irrevocably changed her life and an entire province.
