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Ottawa shooting: Canadian soldier shot at National War Memorial Ottawa shooting: Canadian soldier shot at National War Memorial and gunfire heard in Parliament
(35 minutes later)
A Canadian soldier has been shot and a gunman is on the loose in an incident at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, police have said.A Canadian soldier has been shot and a gunman is on the loose in an incident at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, police have said.
Reports suggest shots have also been heard inside the nearby Parliament building, while a Swat crew is now on the scene. Witnesses said they saw at least one man armed with a long rifle being chased by police inside the nearby Parliament building, where a further 30 shots were heard.
John Ivison, an Ottawa-based political correspondent, said the war memorial had now been sealed off as a crime scene, and that it appeared the man shot was on guard and wearing a kilt. Parliament has been put on lockdown following the initial shooting at the war memorial, while the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was reported to have been successfully evacuated from the building as police converged. His director of communications, Jason MacDonald, tweeted that Mr Harper was "safe and has left Parliament Hill".
The man was believed to have run towards Parliament Hill following the shooting, while the Reuters news agency reported that Parliament itself had been put on lockdown. John Ivison, an Ottawa-based political correspondent, said the war memorial had now been sealed off as a crime scene, and that it appeared the soldier who was shot was on guard and wearing a kilt.
Alain Merisier a witness on the scene who works at the cafeteria in the Parliament building, told CBC News he saw a man in a car holding a long-barrelled rifle. Tony Clement, a senior government member of parliament, tweeted that shots were fired in Centre Block, the main parliament building, near where cabinet was meeting. He said he was safe but still at risk.
Political reporter Josh Wingrove, tweeting from inside the House of Commons building, said he "saw one motionless body outside the library of parliament" and heard dozens of shots from Parliament Hill.Political reporter Josh Wingrove, tweeting from inside the House of Commons building, said he "saw one motionless body outside the library of parliament" and heard dozens of shots from Parliament Hill.
Shooting at the war memorial in Ottawa. pic.twitter.com/1Z0p4Mj5VwShooting at the war memorial in Ottawa. pic.twitter.com/1Z0p4Mj5Vw
War memorial is now a crime scene and sealed off. SWAT team arrives. pic.twitter.com/oHDTRhwU2XWar memorial is now a crime scene and sealed off. SWAT team arrives. pic.twitter.com/oHDTRhwU2X
This was the scene earlier pic.twitter.com/LPsi9iLzjNThis was the scene earlier pic.twitter.com/LPsi9iLzjN
Suspect described as 5”9-5”10, overweight & wearing a dark jacket, white scarf around his face. #cdnpoli #ottnews
Reporters saying this is a suspect's car. Older model Toyota Corolla parked in front of Hill still running. #ottnews pic.twitter.com/LH0pGhGaeB
Earlier today, Canada increased its threat level from low to medium in response to an increase in "general chatter" online from jihadist groups including Isis.
The incident comes just two days after two Canadian soldiers were run over — and one of them killed — in Quebec by a man suspected to be an Islamist extremist.The incident comes just two days after two Canadian soldiers were run over — and one of them killed — in Quebec by a man suspected to be an Islamist extremist.
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