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Multiple shooters reported in Canada attack

Gulan Media October 22, 2014 News
Multiple shooters reported in Canada attack
A Canadian soldier was shot as he and another soldier stood guard at Canada's Parliament war memorial Wednesday. Details are emerging as authorities try to secure the government building in Ottawa.

The violence is not confined to Parliament. Police say that there could be multiple shooters and shooting incidents in the capital.

At least one shooter is dead, Parliament member Bob Zimmer tweeted.

Parliament remains on lockdown.

No one was hurt in the shooting near Ottawa's Rideau Centre, Marc Soucy of the Ottawa Police Service told CNN. It was one of three shootings, he said. The other two were at the National War Memorial and Parliament Hill.

Shots rang out at Parliament around 10 a.m. ET as Parliament members, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, prepared for caucus. Some members tweeted that they heard many shots.

MP Tony Clement tweeted that he heard "at least 30 shots" and apparently was able to take cover with colleagues.

He tweeted that Harper was secure.

Peter Henderson, a journalist, said there were soldiers doing drills when shots were fired and he ran to help a soldier who had slumped to the ground. He said he knew the person shot was a soldier because of the ceremonial uniform the soldier was wearing.

Ottawa police, whose buildings were also locked down, provided details on Twitter about multiple shootings: "Incidents occurred at National War Memorial, near the Rideau Centre and Parliament Hill."

Gunfire in the main Canadian Parliament building started in the foyer, and a second round of shooting happened about a minute later in a hallway or near the entrance to the Parliament's library, Ottawa journalist Josh Wingrove told CNN.

He said several officers had weapons drawn, and most of the dozens of shots that he heard appeared to have been fired by officers at the gunman.

When the shooting ended, a person was lying motionless on the ground near the library entrance, Wingrove said.

Police were searching unlocked rooms in Parliament, the journalist told CNN.

Harper was evacuated from the building and is safe, tweeted his press secretary, Carl Vallee.

"@PMHarper is safe and he has left parliament hill," Vallee tweeted in French.

Gunfire could be heard inside the halls of Parliament, CNN partner CTV News reported.

"We don't know if it's someone from the military who was targeted or not," Ottawa police Constable Marc Soucy told CNN. He was specific about when gunfire was reported: 9:52 a.m. ET.

Parliament member Kyle Seeback tweeted: "Horrific day on parliament hill. Shots fired inside centre block during our caucus meeting. I'm safe locked in a office awaiting security."

Parliament member James Lunney tweeted: #HOC in Lockdown, lone gunman shot security guard, shot his way down Hall of Honor....we are all safe. Gunman dead! Thnk God & our scrty!"

Canada raised its terror threat level

U.S. President Barack Obama has been briefed on the situation in Ottawa, White House officials said Wednesday.

The violence at Parliament comes just days after Canada raised its terror alert Friday.

Earlier this week, a man who Canadian authorities said was "radicalized" was shot to death after hitting and killing a Canadian soldier.

Police: Man who ran down and killed soldier was 'radicalized'

There is no indication that the Monday incident and Wednesday's shooting are related.

The suspect in Monday's vehicle attack, Martin Rouleau Couture, reportedly converted to Islam about a year ago. Police arrested him last July and confiscated his passport, but lacked enough evidence to keep him in custody, said Martine Fontaine of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

"When he was arrested, he was about to go to Turkey," Fontaine said. "We stopped him as he was about to leave Canada for terrorist actions. He was questioned when he was arrested. We have not been able to determine any real threat at this time."

CNN
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