Havoc inside Canadian Parliament; one soldier and shooter killed

Canada’s Parliament Hill was attacked on Wednesday by 2 shooters who created havoc by entering the parliament house. This incident happened even as the Prime Minister, along with the other parliamentarians, was inside the Parliament.

Chris Wattie/Reuters

A riffle-borne shooter first fired at a guard who was standing at the National War Memorial and then snatched a car before entering the Central Block of the Parliament Hill. Two shooters reportedly entered the Parliament Hill and began firing. Witnesses say that they could hear sounds of multiple shots being fired inside the Parliament.

This incident happened in the morning hours when the parliament was functioning and discussions were going on inside. Security officials inside the Parliament Hill took the Prime Minister away from the area while the shooting incident unfolded. The other parliamentarians were taken to safe places by the security personnel’s.

A video posted by The Globe and Mail showed policemen entering the Parliament, followed by a heavy sounds of gunfire.

CBA news reported that Cabinet ministers, MPs and journalists in the buildings housing the House of Commons and Senate were in lockdown as police tracked the gunman. Kevin Vickers, the Sergeant-at-Arms in the House of Commons has reportedly shot a shooter. MP’s inside the Hill tweeted about it and informed journalists. Although one has been shot down, his aide is still at large.

The police cordoned off the area and emergency medical aid was administered on the injured soldier before placing him in an ambulance. However, the soldier succumbed to his injuries later.

In the aftermath of this incident, the security has been tightened up in Canada. Not just in downtown Ottawa but in other cities as well, the security levels have been increased and every situation is being monitored closely by the army and police.

Due to this terrifying incident, an event of Prime Minister Stephen Harper was called off.

CBC news reported that the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, scheduled for tonight at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, has been postponed, the National Hockey League announced today. The date and time of the rescheduled game will be announced at a later date.

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About Suyash Karangutkar

Suyash Karangutkar is a young, dedicated and an enthusiastic journalist who has a deep interest in National and International Affairs. He is an ardent political spectator who finds politics fascinating. At Spectralhues, he heads the Mumbai team and covers National Affairs & Politics. He also occasionally writes columns for Spectralhues. He can be followed on Twitter @columnistsuyash