Dozens of shots fired in Canada's parliament building; Soldier killed at nearby war memorial
Canadian flag flies over Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada. Image from Shutterstock.
Most of downtown Ottawa, Ontario, is in lockdown—though restrictions have been eased as the day has gone on, the Guardian reports—after a gunman entered Canada’s main parliament building Wednesday, where witnesses said 30 to 50 shots were fired.
The showdown there followed the shooting of a Canadian Armed Forces solider at the nearby National War Memorial in Ottawa at 10 a.m. The same gunman, with a scarf over his face, shot the soldier as he was standing guard at the memorial, then proceeded to the parliament building. A sergeant-at-arms whose role ordinarily is ceremonial killed the gunman, the Associated Press and The Globe and Mail reported, relying on information from witnesses as well as authorities.
The Globe and Mail is also reporting that police have confirmed that they are investigating “several” shootings in downtown Ottawa, and it is unclear how many gunmen may have been involved.
Amidst the unconfirmed reports of possible shootings elsewhere in the city, “most of downtown Ottawa is in lockdown,” police spokesman Constable Marc Soucy told USA Today.
Parliament Hill was locked down, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper escaped the building without being injured, according to the Ottawa Citizen and Reuters.
As the day progressed, sources in Canada and the U.S. identified the dead suspect as a Canadian-born convert to Islam named Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, who was born in 1982, according to the AP, CNN, the New York Times (sub. req.) and Reuters.
While terrorism hasn’t been ruled out, what motivated the suspect or suspects isn’t known.
“Today is a sad and tragic day for our city and our country,” said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson.
This video from The Globe and Mail was captured by a reporter inside the parliament building as shots were fired.
Related coverage:
The Guardian: “Canadian parliament on lockdown after shooting – live updates”
National Post: “‘Mom, I’m OK. I’m in hiding’: MPs describe terror in Parliament after gunman sends them running for cover”
