October 22, 2014
Mariah Timms
News Writer
World News
Updates at 12:53 ET:
The Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.has been put on lockdown as a precaution, as has the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa.
Update at 12:30 ET:
Reports now say that there were two soldiers on guard at the war memorial where one was shot and killed. Soldiers nearby ran to assist the fallen man. Police report “several shooting incidents in downtown Ottawa,” involving numerous gunmen. Police remain armed and on high alert, although it is unclear whether Parliament is being evacuated.
Original Story:
An armed man fired shots inside the Canadian Parliament building Wednesday Morning, reports CNN. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was evacuated from the building, and his press secretary confirmed his safety. Reports from inside the building say that there were two rounds of fire, most likely the gunman and then the response of police inside Parliament. The first occurred in the foyer and the second in a hallway near the entrance to the building’s Library. MP Bob Zimmer stated in a tweet that the “lone gunman is deceased.” The building remains on lockdown. An earlier incident resulted in Canada raising its terrorism threat level. Ottawa Police report that a soldier on guard at a war memorial near Parliament was shot and killed. There is no confirmation as to whether the two events are connected.
