Terror in Canada: Soldier Dies after Shooting at National War Memorial in Ottawa-Gunman Later Killed; Parliament, Other Buildings on Lockdown

Aimee Herd : Oct 22, 2014
CBC.CA

"Condolences to family of the soldier killed, & prayers for the Parliamentary guard wounded. Canada will not be terrorized or intimidated." -Minister of Employment Jason Kenney

(Ottawa)—Wednesday morning, a gunman opened fire on a soldier who was standing guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Canada. The gunman was then thought to have run into the Parliament building and it was put in lockdown. (Photo via CBC.ca)

The soldier, who was a reservist serving in Hamilton from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, later died in the hospital from his gunshot wounds, according to the CBC report.

PM Stephen Harper was moved to a safe location.

The area around Parliament Hill was largely evacuated or locked down as well, including shops, hotels, schools and office buildings.

Police confirmed that at least one gunman was dead, but that the situation was "still fluid and ongoing."

Wednesday's attack is the second this week in Canada, as two soldiers were run down on Monday—one of them killed—in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, a city about 40 kilometers southeast of Montreal. The vehicle's driver, Martin (Ahmad) Couture-Rouleau, was considered a "high risk" traveler, whose passport had been confiscated by authorities.

A Canadian source told BCN that there have been some 90 "radicalized" individuals whose activities are being monitored .

Just prior to Tuesday's attack, the terror threat level in Canada had been raised after the increase of terror "chatter."