Pictured: Recent Muslim Convert Michael Zehaf-Bibeau Who Shot Dead a Solider and Opened Fire on Canadian Parliament
- Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, 32, was shot dead after opening fire at Parliament Hill
- He was born in Quebec but reportedly recently converted to Islam and had his passport seized after being designated a 'high-risk traveler'
- He also had multiple drug arrests and a 2011 arrest for bank robbery, for which he served just one day in prison
- He shot reserve soldier Corporal Nathan Cirillo at the National War Memorial before running inside Parliament and exchanging gunfire with guards
- Heroic Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers shot him dead
- Police initially said there were multiple gunmen and at a press conference, they would not rule out other suspects
- This came on the same day Prime Minister Stephen Harper had been scheduled to give Nobel peace Prize winning Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai her Canadian citizenship
- Witness accounts of a suspect include descriptions of him as short with long hair, overweight, wearing a dark jacket and 'Arabic scarf'
- A photo has now been released of Zehaf-Bibeau holding a gun and wearing a keffiyeh
Terror alert had been raised in Canada two days earlier after 'lone wolf' jihadi killed soldier in car attack and ISIS singled out country for revenge over air strikes
Soldier, 24, shot dead by Muslim convert Michael Zehaf-Bibeau who opened fire on Canadian Parliament in terrifying attack that left capital on lockdown
Daily Mail UK, 22 October 2014
A Muslim convert shot dead a Canadian soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa today before exchanging dozens of shots with guards inside Parliament in a terrifying attack that left the nation's capital on lockdown. Michael Zehaf-Bibeau (center) fatally shot Corporal Nathan Cirillo (left), a 24-year-old father, as he stood guard at the War Memorial on Wednesday morning. Zehaf-Bibeau then ran inside the Parliament, where he opened fire before he was shot dead by the House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms. And now, we have our first look at Zehaf-Bibeau, who grew up Michael Joseph Hall in Quebec. In the past ten years he had been arrested numerous times for drug possession and robbery, and recently had his passport seized after being designated a 'high-risk traveler.'
Final moments: Corporal Nathan Cirillo (left) is pictured guarding the National War Memorial just minutes before he was shot
Zehaf-Bibeau was born in Quebec as Michael Joseph Hall and raised in Laval, just north of Montreal.
A criminal court database shows a man with the same name was arrested five times while living in Montreal.
Zehaf-Bibeau was charged in February 2004 for possession of marijuana and possession of PCP. He pleaded guilty to both charges in December 2004, serving one day in prison for marijuana possession and 60 days for PCP possession.
He also spent a day in jail in March of 2004 for a parole violation and was again convicted of marijuana possession in 2009.
In 2011, he was charged with bank robbery in Vancouver but served only one day in prison after he pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of uttering threats, and was credited with 66 days in pre-trial custody.
His attack comes just two days after another Canadian soldier was killed in Quebec by Martin Couture-Rouleau, a man with jihadist sympathies.
Fox has reported that Zehaf-Bibeau was recently in communication with Couture-Rouleau.
Authorities initially said they believed 'two or three' gunmen were responsible for the attack in Ottawa on Wednesday, but at an afternoon press conference, Chief of Police Charles Bordeleau would not confirm whether or not they are still searching for other shooters.
Killed: Corporal Cirillo leaves behind a young son
Gunned down: Cirillo is raced to an ambulance after he was fatally shot in the abdomen by a gunman as he stood guard at the National War Memorial outside the Canadian Parliament this morning
Gathering clues: Forensic police officers work near the National War Memorial in Ottawa
'We're still in the process of clearing Parliament Hill,' he said. 'It is a slow and methodical process.'
The shooting spree began at 9.52am when witnesses reported seeing a gunman climb out of a car, grab a rifle, shoot the soldier in the abdomen and then run towards Parliament.
Corporal Cirillo was rushed to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Cirillo, a fitness fanatic and animal lover with a young son, was a reservist serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Hamilton.
'Nathan was a good man,' friend Marie Michele told CBC 'He would give anything to anyone.'
Ottawa police then received a call at 9.54am that shots had been heard inside the Parliament, while journalists cowering inside said they heard dozens of rounds and could smell gunpowder in the halls.
Race: Emergency personnel tend to the soldier after he was shot a the National Memorial just before 10am
Terror: Police are hunting the streets for more suspects and have asked the public to stay away from the area
Attacks: Ottawa police said there were shootings at the War Memorial and at the Parliament. They initially thought there was a shooting at the Rideau Centre Mall, but have since said this was not the case
Loss: 24-year-old Carillo served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Hamilton, Ontario
A shootout unfolded and Zehaf-Bibeau was killed by Sergeant-At-Arms Kevin Vickers, who worked for the RCMP for 29 years before joining the Parliament in 2006.
'I am safe & profoundly grateful to Sgt at Arms Kevin Vickers & our security forces for selfless act of keeping us safe,' said Julian Fantino, Canada's Minister of Veterans Affairs, on Twitter.
The Sergeant-at-Arms is responsible for safeguarding the authority of the House of Commons and providing safety and security of the Parliament buildings and the people inside.
As gunfire erupted in the hallways, journalists and politicians scrambled for safety, while members in the Conservative Party caucus room blocked the door with a stack of chairs.
A parliamentary guard was shot in the leg during the gunfight but is recovering in hospital, according to Globe and Mail reporter Josh Wingrove, who is inside the building.
Horror: Footage shows the moment multiple gunshots ran out around the marble halls - too many to count - and the police were seen to advance on the shooters apparent position
Terrifying: Sgt. At Arms Kevin Vickers reportedly killed the shooter this morning in the Canadian parliament
Gunfire: An image taken inside the halls of Parliament this morning shows armed police officers
Defense: People inside the Conservative Party caucus room blocked the door with a stack of chairs
Heroic: Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, pictured, shot dead Zehaf-Bibeau
Waiting: A reporter shared this image on Twitter showing a running car police say belongs to the suspect
A spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Harper was safe after being evacuated from Parliament Hill. He is expected to make a statement about the attacks later today.
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I heard dozens of gunshots and the smell of gunpowder is heavy in the hallways
Josh Wingrove, Globe and Mail reporter inside Parliament
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He had been scheduled to give Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, co-winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, her Canadian citizenship today.
The government said there is not yet any evidence that Zehaf-Bibeau has any ties to violent Islamic extremism but noted that it is still early in the investigation.
An Ottawa Citizen reporter inside the Parliament building, wrote on Twitter that a suspect was '5'9-5'10, overweight & wearing a dark jacket'.
Witnesses also told the Citizen that they saw a man wearing an 'Arabic scarf' and carrying a long rifle, while others said the suspect looked South American.
Armed: Law enforcement officers walk on the lawn of the Parliament grounds as they search for gunmen
Hunt: A small plane equipped with surveillance equipment flies over the scene of multiple shootings
Forced out: People evacuate downtown Ottawa as emergency responders try to secure the area
Help: Police and paramedics perform CPR on the shot reserve soldier, who was based out of Hamilton
Hurt: The Parliament was placed under lockdown after the gunman opened fire on the soldier, pictured
Rush: Emergency responders attempt to secure a portion of downtown Ottawa near Parliament Hill
Scott Walsh, who was working on Parliament Hill, told CBC that he saw a man running with a shotgun, wearing a scarf and blue jeans.
He said that the man jumped over a fence around Parliament Hill and forced someone out of their car, then drove to the front doors of the Parliament building and fired at least twice.
Reporter Jordan Press added that the car - a Toyota Corolla - was parked in front of the building with its engine still running.
A video shot by a Globe and Mail reporter showed RCMP officers moving through Parliament's main hall toward the Parliamentary library, as the hallway echoed with gunfire.
Other reporters inside the building described the panic in the hallways.
Guns raised: Emergency responders escort VIPs out of building on Sparks Street near the Post Office
In action: Emergency responders attempt to secure Wellington St near Parliament Hill on Wednesday
Armored: Police officers take cover near Parliament Hilll following a shooting incident in Ottawa October 22
Fears: A Royal Canadian Mounted Police intervention team responds to a shooting at Parliament building in Ottawa on Wednesday. Gunfire was heard inside the building shortly before 10am
On their way: A reporter tweeted that he could see a body on the floor inside the building
Trained: A heavily armed RCMP officer takes position at the gate of 24 Sussex Dr., the official residence of the Prime Minister, on Wednesday at the National War Memorial
Shut: A sign in a closed storefront as emergency responders attempt to secure a portion of Ottawa
'Dozens of shots in parliament,' a reporter for the Globe and Mail, tweeted just before 10am. 'I see a body on the ground outside the library of parliament.
He went on: 'I was in the west wing of the building and shooter appears to have entered through main door on south side, heading north along hallway.
'I heard dozens of gunshots and the smell of gunpowder is heavy in the hallways right now.'
He added: 'One security guard said that it appears one officer may have been shot but we have no way to confirm that.'
Speaking to CNN, Wingrove said it appeared Zehaf-Bibeau entered the front entrance that has 'many armed guards' but no metal detector'.
'If you flash your valid pass, they allow you to go in,' he said. 'This appears to be the entry point [of the gunman] based on witness accounts.'
Briefed: The head of RCMP Bob Paulson briefs Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the shootings
Patrol: Police set up a perimeter near Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday
Police secure an area around Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday Oct. 22, 2014 after a soldier standing guard at the National War Memorial was shot by an unknown gunman
At least 10 Royal Canadian Mounted Police squad cars converged on Parliament Hill's Centre Block as people were rushed out of the city's Post Office
Recovered: A car thought to be the car of one of the suspects is pictured on Parliament Hilll following a shooting incident in Ottawa October 22, 2014
The RMP advised people in downtown Ottawa to stay away from windows and off roofs as they responded to the incident. The University of Ottawa was also placed on lockdown.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the nation's thoughts and prayers are with Canada.
The doors to the Canadian Embassy in the U.S. are locked, while the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa has also been shuttered.
The caucuses for the Conservative and Liberal and NDP were holding their Wednesday meetings when the incident happened, the Citizen reported.
Keeping guard: A heavily armed Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer stands guard at 24 Sussex, the residence of Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper after a shooting at the Parliament building
Secure: A heavily armed RCMP officer enters 24 Sussex Drive, the official residence of the Prime Minister
Address: Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard makes a statement in regarding the shooting at the Parliament in Ottawa from the legislature in Quebec City
Fears: Police tape surrounds the Canadian War Memorial in Ottawa on Wednesday after the shooting
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TIMELINE OF TERROR IN THE CANADIAN CAPITAL: SHOOTINGS IN OTTAWA
9.52am: Gunfire reported to emergency services at the National War Memorial. One reporter there said he saw a man shot and fall to the ground and another run.
9.54am: Gunfire breaks out in the Ottawa Parliament's Centre Block building
9.56am: Multiple gunshots ring out inside the Parliament building and a reporter says he witnesses a body lying motionless on the ground outside the Library of Parliament.
At the same time it is reported that a soldier has been shot at the War Memorial
9.58am: Passersby witness CPR being urgently performed on the soldier as he lies stricken on the ground
9.59am: A police source confirms that there is an 'active shooter' situation currently underway inside the Canadian Parliament.
10.00am: Heavily armed rapid response teams arrive at the Parliament Hill building
10.04am: A number of witnesses at the War Memorial claim to see the soldiers assailant running towards Parliament Hill carrying a large rifle
10.05am: Officers at the War Memorial shout 'there is a shooter on the loose' to the public and tell them to clear the area
10.12am: Parliament Hill is put into official lockdown
10.13am: Those who saw the shooter at the War Memorial say that he had dark hair, a dark complexion and a scarf on his head and was armed with a rifle.
10.18am: A grey Toyota Carolla is found with no front or back license plates. Witnesses claim to have seen two shooters emerge from it.
10.24am: A staff member at the Parliament cafeteria claims to have seen a man drive away from Parliament Hill in a black Chrysler and enter the building with a hunting rifle
10.30am: Reports start emerging that the gunman at Parliament's Centre Block was shot and killed
10.37am: Prime Minister Stephen Harper is confirmed to no longer be on the premises of Parliament Hill.
10.42am: Police say a shooter is still on the loose: 'There's an active shooter, we haven't got it contained yet.'
10.53am: RCMP advises citizens to 'stay off rooftops and away from windows in the downtown core'
10.54am: Reports of shootings by the Rideau Centre and a nearby hotel - although they later said there had been no incidents at these sites
11am: Police say they are still searching for a shooter or shooters
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Prime Minister Stephen Harper Addresses The Nation over Ottawa Shooting
RIP Nathan
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