Attack on Parliament, War Memorial: gunman and soldier dead

This post will not be updated after 3:42pm EDT on Wednesday, October22, 2014. For latest details you may watch the public broadcaster CBC.

At a news conference on Wednesday afternoon, police repeatedly refused to answer whether they were looking for another suspect in two shooting incidents in the nation’s capital, Ottawa that morning. At 9:52, an attacker shot and killed one of two soldiers standing guard at the National War Memorial. The shooter is thought to have then crossed the street, moved up Parliament Hill and entered the Centre Block. A gunfight with security staff ensued and the shooter was killed. Police would not confirm whether it was one and the same person who mounted both attacks.

At a news conference shortly after 2pm, police only repeated that they were clearing the offices on Parliament Hill and emphasized the situation was “fluid” and “onging.” They also asked citizens to stay away from the downtown area, much of which continued to be on lock down.  Several nearby embassies closed as did the University of Ottawa.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and leaders of both opposition parties were reported to be safe early on, Harper having been moved to his official residence amid heavy security. He is expected to address the nation this evening.

A witness at the memorial said he heard two shots, then saw a man wearing a scarf and carrying a long gun get into a car. He said he saw another, unarmed man nearby, also wearing a scarf. Police would not discuss whether a car was involved or not or how many people may be involved.

One member of Parliament said he and several MPs owed their lives to the Sargeant-at-Arms, Kevin Vickers who shot the gunman near a room where they had gathered. As I write this there is no confirmation that Vickers, a former policeman, was the one who killed the attacker.

At the time of the attack, most parliamentarians were in the building for their respective parties’ regular, Wednesday caucus meetings. The Globe and Mail posted  extraordinary video of the shooting captured by one of its reporters.

This attack comes two days after a “radicalized” Canadian ran over two soldiers killing one and injuring another. He was then shot dead.

Ottawa police stations were closed to the public as were Canadian Forces bases across the country. Armed forces personnel were told to not wear their uniforms off their bases.

There are unconfirmed reports Ottawa police had been warned last week to be on alert for an unspecified security threat.

Ottawa police and the RCMP are calling for witnesses to come forward with any information they have.

This post will not be further updated until Thursday morning. You may get latest news from the public broadcaster, CBC.