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2014 shootings at Parliament Hill, Ottawa

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Shootings at Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Parliament Hill's Centre BlockParliament Hill's Centre Block, where one shooter was killed
LocationOttawa, Ontario, Canada
DateOctober 22, 2014
<10:00.-unknown (EDT)
Deaths2 (1 victim, 1 perpetrator)
Injuredat least 3

On October 22, 2014, several shooting incidents occurred around Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The shootings began shortly before 10:00 EDT when Corporal Nathan Cirillo, a Canadian Army soldier on ceremonial guard duty at the Canadian National War Memorial, was fatally shot. Shortly after, a second shooting incident occurred across the street within the Hall of Honour at Centre Block on Parliament Hill.

In a televised address from a safe location later on October 22, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper called the shootings a terrorist attack.


Shootings

First shooting: National War Memorial

The shootings began shortly before 10:00 EDT on October 22, 2014, when according to witnesses, a gunman dressed in blue jeans and a black jacket with a head scarf arrived at the National War Memorial, carrying a double-barreled shotgun. He shot a soldier on duty at the memorial, then entered a vehicle and drove to Parliament Hill.

Second shooting: Parliament buildings

After hopping the fence surrounding the hill, he hijacked a car at gunpoint and drove up the hill to the entrance of the Canadian Parliament buildings, where he exited and proceeded into the building where 20–30 shots were fired. The male suspect was shot dead, reportedly by Kevin Vickers, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Canadian House of Commons. Both the governing Conservative Party and opposition New Democratic Party were holding caucus meetings near to the shooter's path.

Response

Subsequent to these initial events, Ottawa's downtown core was put under lockdown, including Canada's Parliament, the University of Ottawa and the U.S. embassy. The Ottawa Police Service stated they, along with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), are investigating two shootings: one at the Canadian National War Memorial, and one at Parliament Hill. Originally, police reported a third shooting that took place in the Rideau Centre at the same time. A few hours later, police corrected this mistake, saying that only two shootings took place.

At a press conference at 14:00, Ottawa Police confirmed the death of the soldier, but did not release the victim's name pending notification of his family. The RCMP confirmed the death of the suspect, but could not confirm the name of the suspect or any other details, citing the ongoing investigation. The National Defence headquarters, the Parliament Buildings and other government facilities remained in lockdown while a search of the area took place.

Casualties

The soldier killed, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, 24, was a member of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders from Hamilton, Ontario. He was on ceremonial guard duty at the Canadian National War Memorial which includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He was taken to hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

A parliamentary guard was shot in the leg or foot, and was treated at Ottawa Civic Hospital before being released. Two other persons were also injured, in unspecified locations, and taken to Ottawa Civic Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Suspect

The gunman killed inside parliament was identified as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, a 32-year-old Canadian native born in 1982. He was from Quebec. In 2004, he pleaded guilty to drug possession for marijuana and PCP. In 2011, he was charged with bank robbery in British Columbia and uttering threats, but only convicted of uttering threats. He was also guilty of parole violations. An ISIL Twitter account put out an alleged photo of Zehaf-Bibeau just after his name was released. According to U.S. officials, he was a convert to Islam. The Globe and Mail said he was recently designated a "high-risk traveler" by the Canadian government - indicating fear he would travel abroad to commit crimes - and that his passport had been seized by the government. According to Radio-Canada, Zehaf-Bibeau's mother lives in Montreal and works for the federal government.

Reactions

Domestic

As the attack occurred, Prime Minister Stephen Harper was briefing ministers, while MP Bob Zimmer reacted on Twitter. Immediate reactions also came from MPs Marc Garneau and John McKay. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said it was a "sad and tragic day for the city and country." Other Canadian politicians and social media also reacted. Canadian Forces members have been requested to stay out of uniform, unless on active duty.

While security was heightened at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in Toronto, all the party leaders agreed that question period should continue as normal. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne stated: "Our belief is that people who are using violence to undermine democracy want us to be silenced and we refuse to be silenced." Public tours were cancelled for the day at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and security increased. The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia was placed under restricted access, and most constituency offices on Vancouver Island were closed as a precaution. Alberta Premier Jim Prentice wrote on Twitter of his shock at the events, while Justice Minister and Solicitor General Jonathan Denis issued a statement that read that despite the legislature's "robust security" there was "no information suggesting a threat, but we will be vigilant and adjust our security measures appropriately in concert with other public safety and security agencies."

Sports

A National Hockey League (NHL) game scheduled to be played in Ottawa between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs was postponed. The NHL also said it "wishes to express its sympathy and prayers to all affected by the tragic events in Ottawa" and that the decisions for the game "follow the lead of the local authorities." Senators owner Eugene Melnyk also wrote on Twitter of his solidarity with the victims. Prior to the start of a NHL game later in the day between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, the Canadian national anthem O Canada was performed in support of Canada despite neither team hailing from Canada.

International
  •  United States: President Barack Obama was briefed about the attacks. The White House released a statement that read: "President Obama condemned these outrageous attacks, and reaffirmed the close friendship and alliance between our people."
  • NORAD commander General Chuck Jacoby issued a statement that offered condolences. "My heart goes out to our Canadian comrades on this tragic day following the shootings in Ottawa, as well as the hit-and-run attack in Quebec earlier this week, both of which targeted Canadian Forces personnel. We offer our sincerest condolences to the people of Canada. We share their grief, but also their determination not to be intimidated by these cowardly acts."

See also

Following the jury trial in June 2010, a comprehensive presentation of the case and the evidence obtained from court exhibits previously restricted was given by Isabel Teotonio of the Toronto Star. It contained the details on guilty pleas and convictions.

Notes

  1. ^ "Parliament Hill attacked, soldier shot at National War Memorial in Ottawa". CBC News. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  2. ^ "Shots fired inside Canada parliament". BBC News. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  3. ^ "Ottawa shooting: Cpl. Nathan Cirillo dies of wounds, gunman also shot dead". CBC News, October 22, 2014.
  4. ^ Polly Mosendz (October 22, 2014). "'Parliament Hill Is Under Attack'". The Atlantic. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  5. ^ Multiple. "Soldier fatally shot outside of Parliament, one gunman killed". National Post. Retrieved October 22, 2014. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. "Canadian officials identify shooter in brazen attack on Parliament complex". Fox News. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  7. Peter Terlato (October 22, 2014). "Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper: The Parliament Shooting Was a Terrorist Attack". Business Insider Australia.
  8. "Canada's parliament attacked near where prime minister was speaking, Harper safe". Reuters. October 22, 2014.
  9. ^ "Attack on Ottawa: Police in pursuit of multiple shooters". The Globe and Mail. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  10. "Local MP's talk about the shooting on Parliament Hill". CTV News Barrie. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  11. "Ottawa shooting: N.L. MPs recount chaos moments after gunshots heard". CBC News. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  12. "Soldier and assailant dead after chaotic Parliament Hill attack". Toronto Star. Retrieved October 22, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. Beeby, Dean (October 22, 2014). "Ottawa shooting: Soldier dies of injuries, gunman also shot dead". CBC News.
  14. "Ottawa shooting: Nathan Cirillo, reservist from Hamilton, killed in attack". CBC News. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  15. "Canadian soldier shot in Ottawa a reservist from Hamilton". CBC News. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  16. "Gunman in Ottawa attack identified as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau". CTV News. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  17. ^ "Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, slain Ottawa shooter, had criminal record in Quebec, B.C." CBC News. October 22, 2014.
  18. Paul Farrell. "Michael Zehaf-Bibeau: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  19. ^ "Canada probes Michael Zehaf-Bibeau as possible suspect in Ottawa shooting: source". Reuters. Ottawa. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  20. "Social media reaction to Ottawa shootings that claimed soldier's life". CityNews. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  21. "BBC News - Ottawa shootings: Soldier killed and city on lockdown". BBC News. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  22. "REACTION: How Canadian politicians are reacting to the tragedy in Ottawa". CP24. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  23. Husser, Amy (October 22, 2014). "CF members asked to stay out of uniform after Ottawa shootings". CTV News. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  24. "'We refuse to be silenced': Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne defiant in face of Ottawa shooting". National Post. Canadian Press. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  25. Artuso, Antonella (October 22, 2014). "Kathleen Wynne: 'We refuse to be silenced'". Sun News Network. QMI Agency. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  26. ^ "Ottawa shootings: Alberta reaction". CBC News Edmonton. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  27. "Legislature, CFB Esquimalt on alert; MP offices closed". Victoria Times-Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  28. "Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators game postponed following shootings". NHL.com. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  29. National Post Staff (October 22, 2014). "Ottawa Senators' game against Toronto Maple Leafs postponed in light of shootings". National Post. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  30. "Eugene Melnyk on Twitter: "My thoughts & prayers are with the families of the victims of today's shootings in Ottawa, as well as with all Members of Parliament & staff"". Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  31. "'O Canada' to be performed before Penguins-Flyers to support Ottawa". CBS Sports, October 22, 2014.
  32. "Ottawa shooting draws reaction from White House, world leaders". October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  33. "Ottawa shooting called 'tragic' by Obama, world leaders". Yahoo News Canada. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  34. Toronto Star Presentation
  35. "A history of serious security breaches that rocked Ottawa before deadly Parliament Hill shooting". National Post. Postmedia News. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
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