Parliament Hill Attacked, Soldier Shot at National War Memorial in Ottawa
-Bystanders Providing First Aid to Injured at Downtown Landmark
By Dean Beeby,CBC News, 22 Oct, 2014 10:42 AM ET
A man with a rifle shot a soldier standing guard at the War Memorial in downtown Ottawa, and witnesses said there were further shots fired on Parliament Hill nearby.
It was not immediately known if there were further injuries.
Alain Merisier. who works at the cafeteria in the Parliament building, told CBC News that said he saw a man in a car at the Centre Block with a long gun.
Witnesses said they then heard shots fired, and there was an unconfirmed report of a person injured outside the Library of Parliament.
Police confirmed the shooting at the War Memorial, and sealed off the area while the injured soldier was given emergency medical aid. He was later put into an ambulance.
Reports say 1 Canadian MP inside the Parliament building has been shot dead
First responders at a shooting at the War Memorial in Ottawa on Oct. 22, 2014 (Daniel Thibeault/CBC)
Scott Walsh, who was working on Parliament Hill, said he saw a man running with double-barrelled shotgun, wearing a scarf and blue jeans.
Walsh said the man hopped over the wall or fence that surrounds Parliament Hill, -with his gun, forcing someone out of their car. He then drove to the front doors of Parliament and fired at least two shots, Walsh said.
Police said the man was not yet in custody.
The National War Memorial stands in Confederation Square in the heart of downtown Ottawa. The Parliament buildings and the Gatineau Hills are in the background.
The Canadian Prime Minister is safe. Government members/staff are under 'Lockdown', within The Parliament buildings. The surrounding area has been cleared of members of the public
END
RELATED:
Canada Raises Terrorism Threat Level
-Cites Islamist Chatter
22 October 2014, By David Ljunggren
OTTAWA, Oct 22 (Reuters)
- Canada has raised its terrorism threat level to medium from low because of a rise in "general chatter" from radical groups such as Islamic State and al Qaeda, a government official said on Tuesday.
"This increase is not the result of a specific threat," said Jean-Christophe de Le Rue, a spokesman for Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney.
A suspected Canadian militant ran over two soldiers in Quebec on Monday, killing one of them.
De Le Rue said the new terrorism threat level meant Canadian intelligence services had "indicated an individual or group within Canada or abroad has the intent and capability to commit an act of terrorism".
END
More to come.....
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