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Shots fired at Canadian War Memorial, Parliament; soldier killed, police scouring downtown Ottawa Shots fired at Canadian War Memorial, Parliament; soldier killed, police scouring downtown Ottawa
(about 1 hour later)
A soldier was killed during a shooting at Canada’s National War Memorial on Wednesday morning, which was followed quickly by additional gunfire inside the nearby Parliament, according to police.A soldier was killed during a shooting at Canada’s National War Memorial on Wednesday morning, which was followed quickly by additional gunfire inside the nearby Parliament, according to police.
One gunman has also been killed, Ottawa police said. And there are still concerns about possible additional shooters, as police continue to scour the area without anyone in custody, authorities said. A gunman has also been killed, Ottawa police said. And there are still concerns about possible additional shooters, as police continue to scour the area without anyone in custody, authorities said.
“This is an ongoing operation,” Charles Bordeleau, Ottawa’s police chief, said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.“This is an ongoing operation,” Charles Bordeleau, Ottawa’s police chief, said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
The gunman has been tentatively identified as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, a 32-year-old man from Montreal, according to two U.S. law enforcement officials. The FBI was working with Canadian authorities Wednesday to determine if this was an act of terrorism.
Bordeleau would not say if police believe there are other shooters involved, instead saying that they are continuing to methodically search Parliament Hill.Bordeleau would not say if police believe there are other shooters involved, instead saying that they are continuing to methodically search Parliament Hill.
The soldier killed Wednesday has been identified by the Globe and Mail and other Canadian media outlets as Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.
After opening fire at the memorial, Zehaf-Bibeau moved into the Parliament building and continued firing shots, police say. Members of Parliament reported hearing dozens of shots inside the building before the gunman was stopped.
 
The gunfire rocked the core of Canada’s government and set off a chaotic scene across downtown Ottawa. The Parliament was locked down, people were ordered to shelter in place and scores of police officers fanned out over multiple blocks. Much remained unknown in the hours after the shooting, as confusion continued about where shots were fired, the number of suspected shooters and the status of the soldier.The gunfire rocked the core of Canada’s government and set off a chaotic scene across downtown Ottawa. The Parliament was locked down, people were ordered to shelter in place and scores of police officers fanned out over multiple blocks. Much remained unknown in the hours after the shooting, as confusion continued about where shots were fired, the number of suspected shooters and the status of the soldier.
Ottawa police confirmed the shootings occurred at the War Memorial and on Parliament Hill. They had also initially said there was a shooting incident near the Rideau Centre, a mall in the same area, but they later said no shooting had occurred at this mall.Ottawa police confirmed the shootings occurred at the War Memorial and on Parliament Hill. They had also initially said there was a shooting incident near the Rideau Centre, a mall in the same area, but they later said no shooting had occurred at this mall.
Google earth view showing the 3 locations of shootings in downtown Ottawa this morning — all remain on lockdown pic.twitter.com/NsQ1zPwuxe — Jason Morrell (@CNNJason) October 22, 2014Google earth view showing the 3 locations of shootings in downtown Ottawa this morning — all remain on lockdown pic.twitter.com/NsQ1zPwuxe — Jason Morrell (@CNNJason) October 22, 2014
Google earth view showing the 3 locations of shootings in downtown Ottawa this morning — all remain on lockdown pic.twitter.com/NsQ1zPwuxeGoogle earth view showing the 3 locations of shootings in downtown Ottawa this morning — all remain on lockdown pic.twitter.com/NsQ1zPwuxe
— Jason Morrell (@CNNJason) October 22, 2014— Jason Morrell (@CNNJason) October 22, 2014
“Today is a sad and tragic day for our city and our country,” Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said during the news conference. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police asked people in downtown Ottawa to “stay away from windows and off roofs” because of the situation on Parliament Hill. Inside the Parliament building, people were ordered to shelter in place as police rushed to secure the area. Politicians inside Parliament had provided updates from the lockdown, reporting relatively soon after the gunfire broke out that a lone shooter had been killed:“Today is a sad and tragic day for our city and our country,” Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said during the news conference. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police asked people in downtown Ottawa to “stay away from windows and off roofs” because of the situation on Parliament Hill. Inside the Parliament building, people were ordered to shelter in place as police rushed to secure the area. Politicians inside Parliament had provided updates from the lockdown, reporting relatively soon after the gunfire broke out that a lone shooter had been killed:
Gunman at Parliament’s Centre Block has been shot and killed — Bernard Trottier (@btrottier) October 22, 2014Gunman at Parliament’s Centre Block has been shot and killed — Bernard Trottier (@btrottier) October 22, 2014
Gunman at Parliament’s Centre Block has been shot and killed — Bernard Trottier (@btrottier) October 22, 2014Gunman at Parliament’s Centre Block has been shot and killed — Bernard Trottier (@btrottier) October 22, 2014
  
Shots fired at the HoC…lone gunman is deceased. We are ok. — Bob Zimmer MP (@bobzimmermp) October 22, 2014Shots fired at the HoC…lone gunman is deceased. We are ok. — Bob Zimmer MP (@bobzimmermp) October 22, 2014
Shots fired at the HoC…lone gunman is deceased. We are ok. — Bob Zimmer MP (@bobzimmermp) October 22, 2014Shots fired at the HoC…lone gunman is deceased. We are ok. — Bob Zimmer MP (@bobzimmermp) October 22, 2014
The Associated Press reported that a police spokesman said that authorities were seeking two other gunmen, but additional details regarding these other potential suspects were not immediately available. In the hours after shooting incidents, there are frequently reports suggesting multiple shooters, but those reports are often untrue. The Associated Press reported that a police spokesman said that authorities were seeking two other gunmen, but additional details regarding these other potential suspects were not immediately available. In the hours after shooting incidents, there are frequently reports suggesting multiple shooters, but those reports are often untrue.
Canada has recently heightened its terrorism alert and, earlier this week, a soldier there was killed in a hit-and-run that authorities said was an act of terrorism. But Wednesday’s shooting “caught us by surprise,” Gilles Michaud, assistant commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said during the news conference.Canada has recently heightened its terrorism alert and, earlier this week, a soldier there was killed in a hit-and-run that authorities said was an act of terrorism. But Wednesday’s shooting “caught us by surprise,” Gilles Michaud, assistant commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said during the news conference.
Shot from inside caucus room after shooting @ctvottawa #ottawashooting. pic.twitter.com/JjEWpnbUW7 — Graham Richardson (@grahamctv) October 22, 2014Shot from inside caucus room after shooting @ctvottawa #ottawashooting. pic.twitter.com/JjEWpnbUW7 — Graham Richardson (@grahamctv) October 22, 2014
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
— Graham Richardson (@grahamctv) October 22, 2014— Graham Richardson (@grahamctv) October 22, 2014
Tony Clement, a member of the Parliament, tweeted that “at least 30 shots” were heard during a meeting, but it is unclear if these shots were fired inside or outside the building.Tony Clement, a member of the Parliament, tweeted that “at least 30 shots” were heard during a meeting, but it is unclear if these shots were fired inside or outside the building.
Shots fired during caucus meeting. at least 30 shots. MPs piled out. I’m safe with 2 colleagues but we’re still at risk… — Tony Clement (@TonyclementCPC) October 22, 2014Shots fired during caucus meeting. at least 30 shots. MPs piled out. I’m safe with 2 colleagues but we’re still at risk… — Tony Clement (@TonyclementCPC) October 22, 2014
Shots fired during caucus meeting. at least 30 shots. MPs piled out. I’m safe with 2 colleagues but we’re still at risk… — Tony Clement (@TonyclementCPC) October 22, 2014Shots fired during caucus meeting. at least 30 shots. MPs piled out. I’m safe with 2 colleagues but we’re still at risk… — Tony Clement (@TonyclementCPC) October 22, 2014
#UPDATE #Ottawa #Canada Short Statement from Prime Minister Stephen Harper Will address nation this afternoon pic.twitter.com/c11sDHjkrB — Mark Day (@1310NewsDay) October 22, 2014#UPDATE #Ottawa #Canada Short Statement from Prime Minister Stephen Harper Will address nation this afternoon pic.twitter.com/c11sDHjkrB — Mark Day (@1310NewsDay) October 22, 2014
#UPDATE #Ottawa #Canada Short Statement from Prime Minister Stephen Harper Will address nation this afternoon pic.twitter.com/c11sDHjkrB — Mark Day (@1310NewsDay) October 22, 2014#UPDATE #Ottawa #Canada Short Statement from Prime Minister Stephen Harper Will address nation this afternoon pic.twitter.com/c11sDHjkrB — Mark Day (@1310NewsDay) October 22, 2014
An e-mail sent to Harper’s staff ordered them to shelter in place due to “active shooters in the Parliament Hill vicinity.”An e-mail sent to Harper’s staff ordered them to shelter in place due to “active shooters in the Parliament Hill vicinity.”
Here’s the email sent out to the Prime Minister’s staff ordering them to stay put pic.twitter.com/8OYFD5fkUd — Paul McLeod (@pdmcleod) October 22, 2014Here’s the email sent out to the Prime Minister’s staff ordering them to stay put pic.twitter.com/8OYFD5fkUd — Paul McLeod (@pdmcleod) October 22, 2014
Here’s the email sent out to the Prime Minister’s staff ordering them to stay put pic.twitter.com/8OYFD5fkUd — Paul McLeod (@pdmcleod) October 22, 2014Here’s the email sent out to the Prime Minister’s staff ordering them to stay put pic.twitter.com/8OYFD5fkUd — Paul McLeod (@pdmcleod) October 22, 2014
U.S. officials are in “close touch” with their Canadian counterparts in the wake of shootings in downtown Ottawa, Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said Wednesday.U.S. officials are in “close touch” with their Canadian counterparts in the wake of shootings in downtown Ottawa, Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said Wednesday.
Earnest said officials are trying to arrange a call between President Obama and Harper as soon as possible. Earnest said that “details about the nature of this event are still sketchy,” and he is “not in a position” to say whether the attack was an act of terrorism, as Canadian authorities are still responding to the event.Earnest said officials are trying to arrange a call between President Obama and Harper as soon as possible. Earnest said that “details about the nature of this event are still sketchy,” and he is “not in a position” to say whether the attack was an act of terrorism, as Canadian authorities are still responding to the event.
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa has been locked down as a result of the shooting. In addition, an Ottawa Senators hockey game against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs — scheduled for 7 p.m. at a stadium about 30 minutes away from the scene of the shootings — has been postponed, the National Hockey League announced.The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa has been locked down as a result of the shooting. In addition, an Ottawa Senators hockey game against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs — scheduled for 7 p.m. at a stadium about 30 minutes away from the scene of the shootings — has been postponed, the National Hockey League announced.
The shooting comes two days after a Canadian soldier was killed in a hit-and-run that authorities said was an act of terrorism, with the Quebec police saying that it was a deliberate attack on a uniformed soldier. Canada raised its national terrorism alert to medium after the hit-and-run. A government spokesman said the change was due to the possibility of a person or group committing an attack but not because of any specific threat.The shooting comes two days after a Canadian soldier was killed in a hit-and-run that authorities said was an act of terrorism, with the Quebec police saying that it was a deliberate attack on a uniformed soldier. Canada raised its national terrorism alert to medium after the hit-and-run. A government spokesman said the change was due to the possibility of a person or group committing an attack but not because of any specific threat.
This is considered a crime scene police say at War Memorial pic.twitter.com/lZ6KxUZg6R — Bill Curry (@curryb) October 22, 2014This is considered a crime scene police say at War Memorial pic.twitter.com/lZ6KxUZg6R — Bill Curry (@curryb) October 22, 2014
This is considered a crime scene police say at War Memorial pic.twitter.com/lZ6KxUZg6R — Bill Curry (@curryb) October 22, 2014This is considered a crime scene police say at War Memorial pic.twitter.com/lZ6KxUZg6R — Bill Curry (@curryb) October 22, 2014
Police say they have located car belonging to suspect in #Ottawa shooting. Uniformed soldier shot at War Memorial, condition unknown. — CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) October 22, 2014Police say they have located car belonging to suspect in #Ottawa shooting. Uniformed soldier shot at War Memorial, condition unknown. — CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) October 22, 2014
Police say they have located car belonging to suspect in #Ottawa shooting. Uniformed soldier shot at War Memorial, condition unknown. — CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) October 22, 2014Police say they have located car belonging to suspect in #Ottawa shooting. Uniformed soldier shot at War Memorial, condition unknown. — CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) October 22, 2014
Adam Goldman, Katie Zezima and Karen DeYoung contributed to this report.
[This post is being continuously updated with new information. First published: 10:51 a.m.][This post is being continuously updated with new information. First published: 10:51 a.m.]