UPDATE 7:20 p.m. Ottawa police say there is no longer a threat to public safety in downtown Ottawa. They have lifted the security perimeter around the Parliament buildings and surrounding area. However, police say residents will continue to see increased police presence in key areas over the next few days.
UPDATE: 4:19 p.m. We now know that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will address the country at 5 p.m. local time. The Prime Minister will speak about the shooting today at Parliament Hill in Ottawa that killed a young soldier at the War Memorial. Harper’s office has said that the PM has just met with his cabinet ministers to brief them on the situation and further action being taken by national security services.
UPDATE 4:14 p.m. We are learning more of the young soldier who was shot and killed this morning at the War Memorial in Ottawa. Nathan Cirillo was 24-years old and is survived by a young son. Cirillo was a reservist with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Hamilton. Police have now surrounded his home in Hamilton to offer protection while his family decides who will speak to media. Cirillo has a long history with the Canadian Armed Forces, joining the Cadets when he was 13-years old.
UPDATE 3:23 p.m. Several media outlets are identifying the gunman involved in the shooting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The CBC and CBS News say he was 32-year old Michael Zehaf-Bibeau. Reuters is reporting that US agencies have been told the suspect is Canadian-born. The CBC says the shooting suspect has a criminal record in Quebec, relating to past drug charges. Parliament Hill is still on lockdown. Police are not saying if they are searching for other suspects.
UPDATE: 2:46 p.m. The Canadian soldier killed this morning at the National War Memorial has been identified. 24 year old Corporal Nathan Cirillo was the young reservist from Hamilton that was shot. Cirillo was later pronounced dead in hospital. The nation as a whole is mourning the loss of the young solider.
UPDATE: 12:23 p.m. Ottawa police chief Charles Bordeleau says the Canadian armed forces member was shot at National War Memorial. The young soldier died from injuries. Name and age will not be released at this time. All available police resources have been deployed, more are on stand-by. Confirms suspect was shot and killed inside the Centre Block of Parliament. Police are asking people to stay away from downtown core. Follow building management instructions if in downtown building.
Update: 12:00 p.m. Ottawa Police have confirmed that one shooting victim, who was a member of the Canadian Forces, has succumbed to injuries. The victim will not be identified until next of kin are notified. Police have also confirmed that one male suspect is dead and there was no shooting near the Rideau Centre contrary to earlier reports. It is unclear if police are still looking for further suspects.
Update: 10:38 a.m. Ottawa Civic Hospital is now confirming two victims have been admitted. One is confirmed shot but police are not confirming if it is the Canadian soldier who was shot at the National War Memorial. Both victims have non-life-threatening injuries. There is now confirmation the shooting was near the Rideau shopping Centre and not inside. NORAD has increased the number of planes on high alert status in case they are needed in the area of Parliament Hill. The Prime Minister is now cancelling events planned with the Nobel Peace Prize Winner later today in Toronto.
UPDATE: 10:22 a.m. The prime minister’s office is releasing a statement sending thoughts and prayers for everyone involved in today’s ordeal on Parliament Hill. They are confirming the Prime Minister is safe and secure away from Parliament Hill. Justin Trudeau and Tom Mulcair are both confirmed safe as well. There is still heavy police presence moving through Ottawa’s downtown core. Police are trying to clear areas and place under hold and secure. One shooter is confirmed dead. There are reports of a possible another two shooters still on the loose.
UPDATE 10:05 a.m. There has now been a confirmed shooting in the Rideau Centre, directly east of Parliament Hill. Shots are confirmed at the National War Memorial, inside the Centre Block of Parliament and outside the Chateau Laurier. In total, four shooting incidents. There’s no word yet on what happened inside the Rdieau Centre, which is a large shopping centre right by Parliament. One shooter is confirmed dead. Police are searching for a possible two others.
UPDATE 9:45 a.m. All Canadian Forces bases across the country are being closed to the public. There are unconfirmed reports of this and they say this is because of soldiers possibly being targeted. A Canadian soldier was shot at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Police are expanding the lockdown around Parliament Hill. Police are possibly tracking two other shooters. One gunman is confirmed dead.
UPDATE: Police are now reporting a possibility of two or three shooters at Parliament Hill. Canadian Press says the Sergeant of Arms took one shooter down inside the Centre Block of Parliament Hill. This has been confirmed. One shooter is dead. There are other reports of another shooter on the roof of Parliament. Shots have been heard outside the Chateau Laurier Hotel near the East Block. A Canadian soldier was shot at the National War Memorial.
There are reports between 30 and 50 shots have been fired at Parliament Hill.
There are unconfirmed reports shot were fired inside Parliament and the suspect was reportedly shot and killed during this gunfire exchange.
The Prime Minister is safe, 2dayfm has spoken with Peace River MP Chris Warkentin’s office, he and other MPs are safe and have been evacuated.
The Centre and East Blocks of the Hill are on lockdown.
A Canadian soldier was shot at the National War Memorial.
There’s no update on the soldier’s condition.
After emergency medical care, the soldier was taken to hospital by ambulance.
Photo courtesy: Parliamentary Assistant Jamie Burgess