This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-29724907
The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 7 | Version 8 |
---|---|
Ottawa shootings: Soldier killed and city on lockdown | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A gunman shot and killed a soldier at a war memorial in Ottawa, then ran into the parliament building where he exchanged gunfire with police. | A gunman shot and killed a soldier at a war memorial in Ottawa, then ran into the parliament building where he exchanged gunfire with police. |
One gunman is dead, but parts of Canada's capital remain on lockdown as police hunt for more suspects. | |
At a press conference, police said the situation was "ongoing" and "fluid". | At a press conference, police said the situation was "ongoing" and "fluid". |
It came hours after Canada raised its terror threat level, after another soldier was killed on Monday in a hit-and-run attack by a Muslim convert. | It came hours after Canada raised its terror threat level, after another soldier was killed on Monday in a hit-and-run attack by a Muslim convert. |
The country earlier this month announced plans to join the US-led campaign of air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq. | The country earlier this month announced plans to join the US-led campaign of air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq. |
But there is no confirmation any of this week's attacks are linked to IS or the new military campaign. | But there is no confirmation any of this week's attacks are linked to IS or the new military campaign. |
The latest incident began when soldiers guarding the memorial came under fire on Wednesday morning. | The latest incident began when soldiers guarding the memorial came under fire on Wednesday morning. |
One gunman - said to be carrying a rifle - fired on soldiers guarding Canada's main war memorial and then ran into the parliament. | One gunman - said to be carrying a rifle - fired on soldiers guarding Canada's main war memorial and then ran into the parliament. |
"Shots fired at War Memorial at 9:52am today; one person injured," Ottawa Police tweeted. | "Shots fired at War Memorial at 9:52am today; one person injured," Ottawa Police tweeted. |
A statement by Ottawa Police confirmed the soldier had died from his injuries. | A statement by Ottawa Police confirmed the soldier had died from his injuries. |
Dozens of shots were fired inside the parliament building, Canadian MP Marc Garneau told the BBC. | Dozens of shots were fired inside the parliament building, Canadian MP Marc Garneau told the BBC. |
Eyewitness accounts | |
Canadian parliamentary waiter Alain Merizier described seeing a dark car stop outside parliament's centre block and a driver with "a long gun" get out and run inside the entrance of the building, pursued by a parliamentary officer. | |
He said: "I was astonished more than frightened. You don't have time to be afraid." | |
MP, John McKay, described the moment the gunman attacked parliament: "There was a pop, pop, pop sound so the guards ushered us to the back of the building. | |
"How the gunman was able to walk down the hall of honour inside parliament with a rifle will become an area of investigation." | |
Read accounts in full | |
According to Reuters news agency, Prime Minister Stephen Harper was addressing Cabinet at the time. | According to Reuters news agency, Prime Minister Stephen Harper was addressing Cabinet at the time. |
Mr Harper "is safe and has left Parliament Hill", his director of communications later said. | Mr Harper "is safe and has left Parliament Hill", his director of communications later said. |
One gunman was shot dead inside the parliament, police confirmed. | |
The Ottawa Hospital said it had taken in three patients, and two of them were in a stable condition. The other was the soldier who died. | |
Shots were reportedly fired at a nearby shopping centre, but police later said they had no confirmation of activity there. | Shots were reportedly fired at a nearby shopping centre, but police later said they had no confirmation of activity there. |
Police told those in the vicinity of central Ottawa to stay away from windows and roofs as they searched for additional suspects. | Police told those in the vicinity of central Ottawa to stay away from windows and roofs as they searched for additional suspects. |
The nearby University of Ottawa was placed on lockdown, as well as all local police buildings and the US Embassy. | The nearby University of Ottawa was placed on lockdown, as well as all local police buildings and the US Embassy. |
Marc Coucy of Ottawa Police told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that officers were looking for "multiple suspects" in shootings at three locations. | Marc Coucy of Ottawa Police told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that officers were looking for "multiple suspects" in shootings at three locations. |
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson labelled the events a "sad and tragic day for the city and country". | |
Earlier on Wednesday, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters US officials have been in "close touch" with Canadian counterparts. | |
A call between Mr Harper and US President Barack Obama was also being arranged at Mr Harper's "earliest convenience", he added. | A call between Mr Harper and US President Barack Obama was also being arranged at Mr Harper's "earliest convenience", he added. |
The raised terror threat level was in response to an increase in online "general chatter" from radical groups including Islamic State and al-Qaeda, officials said. | |
Are you in the area? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. |