Suspected Gunman in Canada Identified
A Canadian soldier was shot and killed while guarding the National War Memorial outside Parliament on Wednesday, one of two shooting incidents that occurred in downtown Ottawa.
The second round of shooting came inside Parliament, where a male gunman was shot and killed by police.
Several outlets, including the Associated Press, identified the gunman as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, citing anonymous sources who were not authorized to publicly speak about the incident. CBC News identified the soldier as Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.
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Police said the situation is “ongoing’’ and that they are searching for “one or more’’ suspects, CBC News reports. There is no one in custody at the time, police said.
“Today is a sad and tragic day for our city and our country,’’ Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said.
President Obama called the shooting “tragic’’ and said “we’re all shaken by it,’’ according to the Associated Press.
Three people, including the soldier, were taken to the Ottawa Hospital. The other two patients are in stable condition, a hospital spokeswoman told Reuters.
A video shot by The Globe and Mail (above) from inside Parliament showed an intense scene of shots being fired.
Much of downtown Ottawa was placed on lockdown on Wednesday, and police advised those in the area to stay away from windows and off of roofs.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is safe and not at Parliament Hill, a spokesman told the AP.
As a response to the shootings, Massachusetts State Police said they are increasing patrols at key locations and landmarks in the state.
Images of the scene showed a heavy police and emergency vehicle presence.
A Canadian soldier who was shot outside the war memorial on Parliament Hill is tended to in Ottawa.
A heavily armed RCMP officer takes position at the gate of 24 Sussex Dr., the official residence of the Prime Minister.
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