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Ottawa shooting: Canadian soldier shot at National War Memorial and gunfire heard in Parliament Ottawa shooting: Canadian soldier shot at National War Memorial and one gunman killed at 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 at least one gunman has been killed following an incident at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.
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. After police were called to reports of a soldier on guard at the memorial being hit in the chest, witnesses said they saw one man armed with a long rifle being chased by police at nearby Parliament Hill.
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". Video footage showed armed officers inside the main building, Centre Block, 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 soldier who was shot was on guard and wearing a kilt. According to the Reuters news agency, one gunman was shot and killed in that exchange. One Canadian journalist, Bruce Cheadle, reported that an assailant was shot by Sergeant At Arms Kevin Vickers - an official ordinarily tasked with keeping order in the House of Commons.
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. There are unconfirmed reports of further shooting since the gunfire was heard in Centre Block, however, and CNN quoted police as saying they believe that there is at least one, possibly two shooters still on the loose. Officers have issued a warning for all members of public to stay away from windows and roofs.
John Ivison, an Ottawa-based political correspondent, said police believe there are "multiple assailants" and that the area is still "not secure". He said there were suggestions a gunman had fired down onto the nearby street of Metcalfe from a position on the roof.
Parliament has been on lockdown since 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 war memorial itself has been sealed off as a crime scene, while the soldier who was shot was believed to have been on guard and wearing a kilt at the time. He has since been taken away by ambulance.
Tony Clement MP was among the senior politicians tweeting about the shots fired in Centre Block, which appear to have taken place near where cabinet was meeting at the time. 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 #ottnewsSuspect 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/LH0pGhGaeBReporters saying this is a suspect's car. Older model Toyota Corolla parked in front of Hill still running. #ottnews pic.twitter.com/LH0pGhGaeB
We are still in lockdown here in Parliament's Centre Block. The building appears to still be under a search, officers with guns drawn
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.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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