A shooter shot and killed a Canadian Forces reservist at the War Memorial in Ottawa minutes before 10:00 a.m. this morning, Wednesday, October 22.
According to witnesses, the shooter then hijacked a car, without harming the driver, and drove onto Parliament Hill.
WATCH: Footage from Globe reporter captures gunfire exchange in Parliament Hill building
There are reports that the shooter then entered the main entrance of the Centre Block of Parliament and shot repeatedly and indiscriminately.
Journalists who were on the scene at the time report that at least two people there were gravely injured, but there are, as yet, scant details as to the extent of casualties.
The shooter — who witnesses described as having long, dark hair — was shot and killed by Parliamentary security personnel. Witnesses say the shooter used a long gun, that may have been either a rifle or a shot gun. Many reports say he was killed by Kevin Vickers, the House of Commons’ Sergeant-at-arms.
On Wednesday mornings all political parties hold their weekly caucus meetings. Neither the House, nor the Senate nor any committees meet on Wednesday mornings. All members of Parliament, including the Prime Minister, the leaders of the opposition parties and members of the cabinet, are safe.
Thousands of people in offices on or near Parliament Hill remain in lockdown, unable to venture outside. The lockdown extends to virtually all of the downtown Ottawa area in close proximity to the Parliament buildings.
At 3:20 p.m. in Ottawa the lockdown continues, while police methodically search the Parliament buildings. The Ottawa Police and the RCMP are collaborating. Neither will divulge the identity of the victim who died, nor of the suspect who was killed.
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