Ottawa: Parliament Hill attacked, soldier shot at National War Memorial in Ottawa A man with a rifle shot a soldier standing guard at the War Memorial in downtown Ottawa, and witnesses said there were further shots fired on nearby Parliament Hill. It was not immediately known if there were further injuries. Alain Merisier. who works at the cafeteria in the Parliament building, told CBC News that said he saw a man in a car at the Centre Block with a long gun. Witnesses said they then heard shots fired, and there was an unconfirmed report of a person injured outside the Library of Parliament. Police confirmed the shooting at the War Memorial, and sealed off the area while the injured soldier was given emergency medical aid. He was later put into an ambulance. The National War Memorial stands in Confederation Square in the heart of downtown Ottawa. The Parliament buildings and the Gatineau Hills are in the background. Scott Walsh, who was working on Parliament Hill, said he saw a man running with double-barrelled shotgun, wearing a scarf and blue jeans. Walsh said the man hopped over the wall or fence that surrounds Parliament Hill?, with his gun forcing someone out of their car. He then drove to the front doors of Parliament and fired at least two shot, Walsh said. Cabinet ministers, MPs and journalists in the buildings housing the House of Commons and Senate were in lockdown as police tracked the gunman. The Prime Ministers Office says Stephen Harper is safe and not on Parliament Hill. Police are still searching for the gunman, and have sealed off the area, moving bystanders and reporters to the nearby Chateau Laurier Hotel. Other witnesses were taken to the citys police headquarters. New Democrat MP Hélène Laverdière said she heard 20 to 30 shots, and hit the floor. She and fellow MPs Charlie Angus and Rosane Doré Lefebvre were later led out of the Centre Block to safety. Doré Lefebvre said she was worried about getting her daughter from the daycare facility on Parliament Hill.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 15:03:30 +0000
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