Terror grips Canada capital, shootout in Parliament, outside

Conflict

Crisis/Conflict/Terrorism

23 Oct 2014, 06:49 am Print

Ottawa, Oct 23 (JEN) Canadian parliament came under attack along with the national capital's war memorial on Wednesday morning, forcing a lockdown of the house after a gunman entered the building when the Prime Minister was inside while shots rang outside, leaving a soldier and a suspected terrorist dead.

Reports said firing occurred outside the room where Prime Minister Stephen Harper was addressing legislators. Harper was, however, taken away from the scene safely.

Such an incident was unprecedented in Canada as the MPs created a wall of defence and barricaded themselves into a parliamentary caucus room but putting furniture against the doors.

Some others, said reports, climbed down a scaffolding as the rampage of the gunman continued.

As several shooting incidents rattled Canada's Ottawa city, which include the country's Parliament complex, the police confirmed that one gunman has been killed while a member of the Canadian Forces also died during the attack.

The Ottawa Police tweeted: "This morning’s shooting incidents occurred at the National War Memorial and on Parliament Hill. Not Rideau Centre. One shooting victim succumbed to injuries. He was a member of the Canadian Forces. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his loved ones."

"One male suspect has also been confirmed deceased. There is no further update on injuries at this time. #ottnews," the police said.

"This is an ongoing police operation and there is no one in custody at this time. #ottnews," it said.

According to reports, the gunman shot a soldier at a war memorial in Ottawa and then rushed to the parliament building nearby.

The police said shots were fired at War Memorial at around 9:52 am local time.

The police are currently searching for additional suspects involved in the incident.

MP Tony Clement tweeted: "Still trapped here, barricaded. Not in my office, but elsewhere. #OttawaShooting."

The shootings occurred after the nation raised the terror threat level after a fatal hit-and-run attack on two soldiers recently, reports said.

Meanwhile, global leaders have started reacting to the shooting incident which disrupted normal life in the city on Wednesday.

British Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "I'm appalled by today's attack in Ottawa. I offer my full support to @pmharper and the Canadian people as they deal with this incident."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "News of the attack in Ottawa is extremely disturbing. I pray for everyone's safety."

#Canada #Parliament Hill