Buildings in Ottawa’s downtown core are under lockdown after the crack of gunshots rang through the halls of Parliament Hill’s Centre Block on Wednesday and a gunman fired on soldiers guarding Canada’s main war memorial.
Ottawa police confirmed that they were investigating “several” shootings in downtown Ottawa. There are conflicting reports of how many shooters appear to be involved in the attack on the heart of Canada’s federal government.
Gunfire erupted at the National War Memorial, then moved to Parliament Hill. The Parliament Hill shooting was captured on this video by a Globe reporter. Ottawa police did not comment on whether a shooter or shooters have been either apprehended or shot. “As far I know no one is under arrest,” said Constable Marc Soucy. He also said he was “not aware” that any suspects had been shot.
The outbreak of violence on Wednesday shortly before 10 a.m. (ET) sent MPs into hiding and all federal government buildings into lockdown.
Gunfire erupted at the National War Memorial, then moved to Centre Block and has also been reported at the Chateau Laurier hotel east of Parliament Hill.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was with Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino in a caucus meeting when the gunfire began, Mr. Fantino told the Toronto Sun Wednesday. Fantino credits a sergeant-at-arms for taking down a gunman. “All the details are not in but the sergeant-at-arms, a former Mountie, is the one that engaged the gunman, or one of them at least, and stopped this,” Fantino said.
Two sources told The Canadian Press that Kevin Vickers, the sergeant-at-arms for the House of Commons, shot an assailant. Other MPs also tweeted that a gunman was shot and killed, but police did not immediately verify the reports.
Fantino also praised the RCMP for protecting the Prime Minister and other parliamentarians. “They were so professional,” Fantino told the Toronto Sun of the RCMP. “Incredible.”
Mr. Harper will make a statement later today, said his communications director Jason MacDonald, who added that the Prime Minister “is safe and not on Parliament Hill” and was being briefed by security officials.
Mr. Harper cancelled his planned trip to Toronto, where he was to present girls’ education activist Malala Yousafzai with honorary Canadian citizenship on Wednesday afternoon.
Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz postponed a planned 11.15 a.m. news conference in Ottawa, due to take place in the National Press theatre, across Wellington Street from Parliament Hill. The news conference was to follow Wednesday’s release of the central bank’s interest rate statement and monetary policy report.
Ottawa mayor Jim Watson released a statement saying he was “shocked and saddened.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured,” he said.
“Ottawa Paramedics and Fire Services provided first response to those injured and Ottawa Police Services are engaged with other law enforcement agencies at this time in pursuit of the criminal or criminals who have carried out this vicious and unwarranted attack.”
In Toronto, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she and the opposition leaders discussed suspending Question Period in light of the Ottawa shooting, but she says “we refuse to be silenced.”