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Ottawa shooting: Canadian soldier dies after shooting incident at National War Memorial as one gunman is killed inside Parliament Ottawa shooting: Canadian soldier dies after shooting incident at National War Memorial as one gunman is killed inside Parliament
(35 minutes later)
A Canadian soldier has died after being shot at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, as one gunman was killed and police hunted for at least one other. A Canadian soldier has died after being shot at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, as one gunman was killed in Parliament and police hunted for at least one other assailant.
Eyewitnesses said they saw one man with a long rifle get into a car after shooting the guard at the memorial in the chest. Ottawa Police have confirmed that the member of the Canadian Armed Forces "succumbed to injuries".Eyewitnesses said they saw one man with a long rifle get into a car after shooting the guard at the memorial in the chest. Ottawa Police have confirmed that the member of the Canadian Armed Forces "succumbed to injuries".
The gunman was believed to have hi-jacked a car and driven to nearby Parliament Hill, where he was chased inside the building by officers.The gunman was believed to have hi-jacked a car and driven to nearby Parliament Hill, where he was chased inside the building by officers.
In a press conference tonight, police chiefs confirmed that the shooting "caught us by surprise", happening a day after officials raised the terrorism threat level from low to medium.
Video footage from within the main Parliament building, Centre Block, showed armed officers engaging the suspected assailant in a gunfight, with around 30 shots heard.Video footage from within the main Parliament building, Centre Block, showed armed officers engaging the suspected assailant in a gunfight, with around 30 shots heard.
One gunman has now been confirmed shot and killed in that exchange, but at least one other is believed to be on the loose - nobody is in custody. One gunman has now been confirmed shot and killed in that exchange, but at least one other is believed to be on the loose, though police tonight would not confirm nor deny this. Nobody is in custody.
Treasury Board Minister Tony Clement told Reuters that the gunman had run straight past a room in which the Prime Minister was giving an address to legislators.Treasury Board Minister Tony Clement told Reuters that the gunman had run straight past a room in which the Prime Minister was giving an address to legislators.
"PM was addressing caucus, then a huge boom, followed by rat-a-tat shots. We all scattered. It was clearly right outside our caucus door," he said."PM was addressing caucus, then a huge boom, followed by rat-a-tat shots. We all scattered. It was clearly right outside our caucus door," he said.
A hospital in Ottawa said it received three patients - two of them are in a stable condition but the third, the soldier, has died.A hospital in Ottawa said it received three patients - two of them are in a stable condition but the third, the soldier, has died.
A statement from Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that he has "condemned this despicable attack".
He has also, according to Reuters, "reiterated the importance of the continued functioning of the government and our Parliament".
British Prime Minister David Cameron has offered his condolences, tweeting: "I'm appalled by today's attack in Ottawa. I offer my full support to @pmharper and the Canadian people as they deal with this incident."British Prime Minister David Cameron has offered his condolences, tweeting: "I'm appalled by today's attack in Ottawa. I offer my full support to @pmharper and the Canadian people as they deal with this incident."
White House Spokesman Josh Earnest said that the US was trying to arrange a phone conversation between President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Spokesman, Carl Vallée, has said that a brief phone conversation has happened between Mr Harper and President Barack Obama.
He added they are not in a position to say whether the shootings were a result of a terrorist attack, Reuters reports.
A Canadian journalist, Bruce Cheadle, reported that the gunman in Parliament was shot by Sergeant At Arms Kevin Vickers - an official ordinarily tasked with keeping order in the House of Commons.A Canadian journalist, Bruce Cheadle, reported that the gunman in Parliament was shot by Sergeant At Arms Kevin Vickers - an official ordinarily tasked with keeping order in the House of Commons.
Reporters and MPs inside the building said that they could smell gunpowder in the hallways, while there were unconfirmed reports that a security guard and a member of parliamentary staff may have been injured during the exchange.Reporters and MPs inside the building said that they could smell gunpowder in the hallways, while there were unconfirmed reports that a security guard and a member of parliamentary staff may have been injured during the exchange.
After further gunfire was heard downtown, officers issued a warning for all members of public to stay away from windows and roofs. Much of the city remained on lockdown. Officials have said the operation is ongoing.After further gunfire was heard downtown, officers issued a warning for all members of public to stay away from windows and roofs. Much of the city remained on lockdown. Officials have said the operation is ongoing.
A press conference attended by police chiefs have said that the situation is "fluid", that the incident could be described as being a "surprise", and that they could not comment on the identity of the deceased gunman nor a potential motive. A press conference attended by police chiefs tonight and Ottawa's Mayor Jim Watson revealed that the situation is "fluid", that the incident could be described as being a "surprise", and that they could not comment on the identity of the deceased gunman nor a potential motive.
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 on to the nearby street of Metcalfe from a position on the roof. John Ivison, an Ottawa-based political correspondent, had said police believed there to be "multiple assailants" and that the area is still "not secure".
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.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". His director of communications, Jason MacDonald, tweeted after the incident that Mr Harper was "safe and has left Parliament Hill".
Ottawa's Mayor Jim Watson said in a statement this afternoon: "I am shocked and saddened by what has happened in the last hour here in the nation's capital.Ottawa's Mayor Jim Watson said in a statement this afternoon: "I am shocked and saddened by what has happened in the last hour here in the nation's capital.
"Our thoughts are prayers are with those injured."Our thoughts are prayers are with those injured.
"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.""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."
The war memorial itself has been sealed off as a crime scene since officers responded to the incident at 9.52am.The war memorial itself has been sealed off as a crime scene since officers responded to the incident at 9.52am.
Eyewitness Matthew Blaise told reporters: "I head a bunch of pops first; I thought it was firecrackers, so I looked over at the war memorial and I saw a man with a rifle shooting at a bunch of people. As soon as I saw him shooting, I ducked for cover."Eyewitness Matthew Blaise told reporters: "I head a bunch of pops first; I thought it was firecrackers, so I looked over at the war memorial and I saw a man with a rifle shooting at a bunch of people. As soon as I saw him shooting, I ducked for cover."
Maintenance worker Barry Willis said he was on Parliament Hill when he heard shots fired. He told The Wall Street Journal he was standing by his work van when a man pointed a rifle in his direction. Maintenance worker Barry Willis said he was on Parliament Hill when he heard shots fired. He told The Wall Street Journal he was standing by his work van when a man pointed a rifle in his direction. 
Map showing the relative locations of the National War Memorial (marked in red) and the Parliament building Armed RCMP officers guard access to Parliament Hilll following a shooting incident in OttawaMap showing the relative locations of the National War Memorial (marked in red) and the Parliament building Armed RCMP officers guard access to Parliament Hilll following a shooting incident in Ottawa
Armed RCMP officers guard the front of Langevin Block on Parliament Hilll following a shooting incident in OttawaArmed RCMP officers guard the front of Langevin Block on Parliament Hilll following a shooting incident in Ottawa
"I said 'holy s***'," Mr Willis said, as he hid behind his van."I said 'holy s***'," Mr Willis said, as he hid behind his van.
Mr Willis said he witnessed the gunman approaching a car, saw the driver get out and then watched as the gunman drove it towards the main Parliament building.Mr Willis said he witnessed the gunman approaching a car, saw the driver get out and then watched as the gunman drove it towards the main Parliament building.
"He scared the c*** out of me," Mr Willis said, adding that he served in the military in the 1980s. "I have never had a rifle pointed at me, at least not 10 feet away.""He scared the c*** out of me," Mr Willis said, adding that he served in the military in the 1980s. "I have never had a rifle pointed at me, at least not 10 feet away."
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.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.
A heavily armed RCMP officer enters 24 Sussex Dr., the official residence of the Prime Minister  A heavily armed RCMP officer enters 24 Sussex Dr., the official residence of the Prime Minister  
Paramedics and police pull a victim away from the Canadian War Memorial in Ottawa  Paramedics and police pull a victim away from the Canadian War Memorial in Ottawa  
Speaking to reporters, Ottawa police Constable Marc Soucy had said there had been shots fired at three places in the Canadian capital: at the war memorial, on Parliament Hill and near the Rideau Centre Mall. Ottawa Police have since stated that no shots were fired in the mall.Speaking to reporters, Ottawa police Constable Marc Soucy had said there had been shots fired at three places in the Canadian capital: at the war memorial, on Parliament Hill and near the Rideau Centre Mall. Ottawa Police have since stated that no shots were fired in the mall.
All three sites are within less than a mile from each other and while the incident definitely started at the war memorial, it remained uncertain whether there was more than one shooter. No arrests have been made.All three sites are within less than a mile from each other and while the incident definitely started at the war memorial, it remained uncertain whether there was more than one shooter. No arrests have been made.
"Most of downtown Ottawa is in lockdown," Soucy said."Most of downtown Ottawa is in lockdown," Soucy said.
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 drawnWe are still in lockdown here in Parliament's Centre Block. The building appears to still be under a search, officers with guns drawn
Shot from inside caucus room after shooting @ctvottawa #ottawashooting. pic.twitter.com/JjEWpnbUW7Shot from inside caucus room after shooting @ctvottawa #ottawashooting. pic.twitter.com/JjEWpnbUW7
While the police operation to find any remaining suspects was ongoing, Mr Harper's office released a statement saying: "Earlier today there was an attack at the National War Memorial and on Parliament Hill.While the police operation to find any remaining suspects was ongoing, Mr Harper's office released a statement saying: "Earlier today there was an attack at the National War Memorial and on Parliament Hill.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were attacked. The Prime Minister is safe and not on Parliament Hill and being briefed by security officials. The police continue to do their important work and we are still gathering the facts.""Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were attacked. The Prime Minister is safe and not on Parliament Hill and being briefed by security officials. The police continue to do their important work and we are still gathering the facts."
Prior to the attack, Canada increased its threat level from low to medium in response to an increase in "general chatter" online from jihadist groups including Isis.Prior to the attack, 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.