How The Ottawa Shooter Was Stopped By The Sergeant-at-Arms

 

Ottawa Shooting: The Face-To-Face Encounter That Ended The Attack On Parliament -- CBC 

Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers rushed toward the gunman - and then took decisive action. It is the critical moment of the attack on Parliament Hill: Before any more lives could be taken by gunman Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, he is shot dead by House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers.

CBC News has learned the dramatic details of that face-to-face encounter, when the 58-year-old Vickers confronted Zehaf-Bibeau and killed him at point-blank range.

Zehaf-Bibeau had exchanged gunshots with parliamentary security at the entrance of Centre Block and ran down the long Hall of Honour towards the doors to the Parliamentary Library.

Read more ....

My Comment: Wow .... this must have been incredibly tense. Thank God for people like Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers.

Remembering Corporal Nathan Cirillo, The Soldier Gunned Down As He Stood Guard At Canada's National War Memorial On Parliament Hill

Seconds before: A tourist snapped this photo, likely the last ever taken of Corporal Nathan Cirillo (left) before he was gunned down by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau in an attack on Ottawa's Parliament Hill on Wednesday

Standing Guard And Seconds From Death: The Last Picture Of Canadian Reservist Father, 24, Who 'Would Give Anything To Anyone' -- Daily Mail

* A tourist snapped what is likely the last photo of Nathan Cirillo, 24, taken before the horrific act of terror outside the Parliament on Wednesday
* Corporal Cirillo, father to a six-year-old son, was gunned down as he stood guard at Canada's National War Memorial on Parliament Hill
* The Hamilton, Ontario native was rushed to the hospital but later died
* Cirillo, a fitness fanatic and animal lover, served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and worked as a personal trainer and bouncer
* His mother, who is traveling to Ottawa, is 'completely broken', relatives said
* Cirillo's killer, Muslim convert Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, 32, was shot dead after opening fire while wearing a scarf at Parliament Hill on Wednesday
* Bibeau is the son of Susan Bibeau a high-ranking official on the Immigration and Refuge Board of Canada

The reservist soldier shot dead Wednesday as he stood guard at Canada's War Memorial in Ottawa was photographed by a Parliament Hill visitor mere moments before the horrific act of terror.

Corporal Nathan Cirillo is pictured in what is in all likelihood the final photo taken of the 24-year-old father before he was shot at close range and fatally wounded.

Seconds later, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau shot Cirillo, whose ceremonial weapon was not loaded. The soldier was rushed to a hospital, but soon succumbed to the wounds.

Twitter user Kamakazi19982 posted the photo with the caption: 'Ok so we were on a tour at the war monument in Ottawa a few minutes ago, a few seconds later there was a shooting.'

Read more ....

More News On Corporal Nathan Cirillo

Remembering Cpl. Nathan Cirillo -- Macleans
Nathan Frank Cirillo died standing guard over one of his own -- National Post
Cpl. Nathan Cirillo: Family, country mourn loss of Hamilton soldier -- CBC
Condolences pour in for Nathan Cirillo, Canadian guard shot dead in Ottawa -- The Guardian
Who Is Nathan Cirillo? Soldier Killed In Ottawa Shooting 2014 Identified -- IBTimes
Slain Ottawa Soldier Cpl. Nathan Cirillo Honored as 'Wonderful' Man -- NBC
Heartbreaking Photo Shows Nathan Cirillo Moments Before Shooting -- Huffington Post
Ottawa Shooting: Friends of Dead Soldier Create Facebook Page 'Rest in Peace Cpl. Nathan Cirillo' -- IBTimes

My Comment: One of my closest friends served in the Governor General's Foot Guards .... they are the men who wear the bearskin hats on Parliament Hill. He calls that experience one of the best in his life .... and he especially loved the recognition and attention that he always received from the tourists. He told me last night that Corporal Nathan Cirillo must have been a very special reservist to be given the duty of being a guard at Canada's War Memorial. It is .... in every way .... sacred ground .... and only the best of the best are given the duty.

Our prayers are with Corporal Nathan Cirillo's family and loved ones.

Former Mountie And Sergeant At Arms For Canada's Parliament Hailed As Hero For Stopping The Attacker

House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers is a 29-year veteran of the RCMP. He was credited Wednesday with helping to stop the attacker on Parliament Hill. (CBC)

Ottawa Shooting: Kevin Vickers Hailed As Hero Who Helped Stop Attacker -- CBC

'Thank God for Sgt at Arms Kevin Vickers,' tweets Justice Minister Peter MacKay

House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers was lauded by members of Parliament Wednesday for his reported role in stopping an assailant who killed a Canadian Forces member in Ottawa.

Vickers, 58, a native of Miramichi, N.B., was reportedly in the House of Commons when a gunman entered sometime after 9:52 a.m.

Two sources told The Canadian Press that Vickers shot the assailant inside the Hall of Honour, the main entrance to the Centre Block beneath the Peace Tower.

Officials have not confirmed that Vickers fired at the suspect, but multiple MPs credited Vickers on Twitter with helping to stop the attacker.

Read more ....

More News On Sergeant-At-Arms Kevin Vickers Stopping The Parliament Shooter

Pictured: Heroic sergeant-at-arms, 58, walking through Parliament gun in hand just moments after he killed gunman Michael Zehaf-Bibeau -- Daily Mail
Sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers thrust into role of modern-day hero -- Globe and Mail
Canada Sergeant-at-Arms Lauded for Halting Ottawa Attack -- Bloomberg
Canadian parliamentarian sergeant-at-arms hailed as 'hero' -- CNN
Canada Shooting: Sergeant-At-Arms Hailed As Hero -- SKY News
Canada Shooting Hero Identified as Sgt. at Arms Kevin Vickers -- ABC News
Kevin Vickers: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know -- Heavy.com
‘Thank God’ for Kevin Vickers, Canada’s new national hero -- Washington Post

My Comment: This could have easily been a massacre where a number of Canadian parliamentarians and their staff members could have been killed. The fact that the shooter was able to breach security and get inside the parliament building with a rifle is a surprise to me. I am sure that in the coming days and weeks we are going to learn more about the events that transpired yesterday.

Update: Hero of Canada's Parliament Shooting Greeted With Standing Ovation -- ABC News

Canadian Parliament Shooter Identified As A Recent Convert To Islam

Muslim Convert Who Shot Dead Canadian Soldier Is The Privately-Educated Son Of Country’s Immigration Chief And Has Links To Syrian Terrorist Claims Friend From Mosque -- Daily Mail

* Quebec-born Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, 32, recently converted to Islam and had dreams of heading to the Middle East
* He had his passport seized after being designated a 'high-risk traveler' - despite his mother being on Canada's immigration board
* He had multiple drug and robbery arrests, and a 2003 weapons charge
* He had told a friend the 'devil was after him' and knew a man who is still at large after leaving Canada to join Islamist fighters in Syria
* Shooting came on the day Prime Minister Stephen Harper was due to give Nobel Peace Prize winning activist Malala Yousafzai Canadian citizenship
* Harper addressed his country later, saying this 'terrorist attack' would 'not intimidate Canada'
* Bibeau had visited the U.S four times, with officials tracing who he met there
* He was shot dead by Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers after his deadly attack
* Report claims his father fought among anti-gaddafi rebels in Libya in 2011

Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, the Muslim convert who fatally shot Corporal Nathan Cirillo - a 24-year-old father standing guard at Ottawa's War Memorial, was a petty criminal and the son of a leading Canadian immigration official, it has been revealed.

Born in Quebec as Michael Joseph Hall and raised in Laval, just north of Montreal, the young man lived a quiet childhood of private schools and suburban homes, with a mother who was a high ranking federal employee.

Then, after years of run-ins with the law, he converted to Islam.

Read more ....

More News On Who Is The Canadian Parliament Shooter

Ottawa shootings: Profile of gunman Michael Joseph Zehaf-Bibeau -- CTV
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, slain Ottawa shooter, had criminal record in Quebec, B.C. -- CBC
Who is Canadian Parliament shooter Michael Zehaf-Bibeau? -- CNN
Canada probes Michael Zehaf-Bibeau as possible suspect in Ottawa shooting: source -- Reuters
Who Is the Canadian Parliament Shooter? -- NBC
'He said the devil is after him': What we know about Michael Zehaf-Bibeau -- Sydney Morning Herald
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau: Ottawa Shooting Suspect Had Passport Revoked, May Have Tried To Join ISIS -- Inquistr
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau ID’d as Canadian Shooting Suspect in Ottawa; Also Known as Michael Joseph Hall -- Epoch Times
Canadian Parliament shooter Michael Zehaf-Bibeau: what we know and what we don't know -- VOX

Canadian Parliament Attacked By Armed Gunman -- News Updates And Roundup

 

Ottawa Shooting: Soldier Dies Of Wounds, Gunman Also Shot Dead -- CBC  

Downtown Ottawa remains in lockdown as police conduct searches around parliamentary precinct

Parliament Hill came under attack today after a man with a rifle shot and killed a soldier standing guard at the National War Memorial in downtown Ottawa, before seizing a car and driving to the doors of Parliament Hill's Centre Block nearby.

The slain soldier is Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, 24, a reservist from Hamilton. MPs and other witnesses reported 30 to 50 shots were fired inside Parliament, and a gunman was shot dead inside the building by the House of Commons sergeant-at-arms and RCMP, according to MPs' accounts.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was on the Hill at the time of the shooting, but was safely taken away. Harper is expected to make an address to the country later this evening.

 Read more ....

Live Updates On Today`s Shootings In Ottawa

CBC Live Updates (Video) -- CBC
LIVE NOW: CTV News Special Report: Parliament Hill Shooting (Video) -- CTV
Real-time coverage from Globe reporters in Ottawa -- Globe and Mail
Live News on Ottawa shooting -- Reuters
Canada Shooting Live -- CNN
Ottawa shooting: Canadian parliament in lockdown: Canada shooting: Latest coverage -- BBC Shootout at Canadian parliament as police sweep area – live updates -- The Guardian
LIVE COVERAGE: Shooting at Canadian Parliament Building and Other Ottawa Sites -- FOX News Ottawa shooting LIVE UPDATES -- RT
Suspected shooter shot dead by police after killing uniformed officer at war memorial and heading for parliament -- The Telegraph

More News On Today`s Shootings In Ottawa (Canadian Press)

Soldier killed in capital -- Toronto Star
Ottawa shooting: MPs, eyewitnesses describe shootings -- CBC
Ottawa shooting: Nathan Cirillo, reservist from Hamilton, killed in attack -- CBC
Soldier killed at National War Memorial identified -- CTV
UPDATE: Soldier, gunman who died in Ottawa rampage identified -- Ottawa Citizen
Sergeant-at-arms who reportedly shot suspect hailed as hero by MPs -- Globe and Mail/Canadian Press Parliament Hill sergeant-at-arms hailed as hero in Ottawa -- Toronto Star
Quebec military members urged not to wear uniforms when off duty -- CBC
Ottawa shooting draws reaction from White House, world leaders -- CBC
Four inside accounts of the deadly Ottawa shooting -- Ottawa Citizen
UPDATE: Soldier killed in War Memorial attack; gunman killed, others still sought -- Ottawa Citizen Parliament Hill attack: 1 gunman dead after soldier shot at National War Memorial -- CBC
Gunman killed in Ottawa; 3 shootings confirmed -- CTV
The scene inside: Gunfire breaks out on a busy caucus day -- Globe and Mail
Soldier dies in chaotic Parliament Hill attack, Jason Kenney says -- Toronto Star
Attack on Ottawa: Police confirm 'several' shootings -- Globe and Mail
Shots fired on Parliament Hill, multiple injuries reported -- Canada.com S
tephen Harper on today's shootings at Parliament Hill -- Ottawa Citizen
Police briefing confirms deaths, but short on details of attack -- Ottawa Citizen
Commons security already tight before shooting, Ottawa says -- Toronto Star
In a city under lockdown, Hill security under the spotlight -- Jeffrey Simpson, The Globe and Mail Timeline: Shots fired in the national capital -- CTV
What unfolded during the attack in Ottawa -- Globe and Mail
A timeline of major terrorism and security incidents in Canada -- Ottawa Citizen

Ottawa Citizen More News On Today`s Shootings In Ottawa (Foreign Press)  

Canadian Parliament under lockdown after gunman, 32, kills soldier standing guard at the National War Memorial before opening fire in the Parliament halls -- Daily Mail
2 dead in shooting attack at Canada's Parliament -- AP
Canadian Soldier Dead After Attack Near Parliament in Ottawa -- New York Times
One suspect dead in Canada Parliament attack, hunt continues for possibly others -- CNN
Canadian soldier, gunman killed in attack on Ottawa capital complex -- FOX News
The battle of Ottawa: Soldier killed in shooting at Canadian capital's war memorial as gunman goes on rampage inside Parliament building -- The Independent
Canada's parliament attacked near where PM Harper was speaking -- Reuters
Obama on Canada shooting: ‘We’re all shaken by it’ -- Washington Post
Canada Parliament Locked Down as Solider Shot at Memorial -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Ottawa shooting recounted: ‘I knew something immediately was wrong’ -- The Guardian
Soldier shot near Canada's parliament; shooter at large -- Reuters
Canadian parliament locked down, one suspect reported dead -- Reuters
Soldier killed in Canada shootings -- BBC
Multiple shooters reported in Canada attack -- CNN
Gunmen open fire at Canadian Parliament building; soldier down, 1 shooter possibly on loose -- FOX News Canada Parliament Locked Down As Solider Shot at Memorial -- Bloomberg
Canada Shooting: Parliament Building on Lockdown Amid Gunfire -- ABC News
Soldier Shot Near Canadian Parliament Building -- VOA
Soldier shot near Canadian parliament -- Al Jazeera
Ottawa parliament shooting: What are Canada's gun laws? -- Arthur Bright, CSM
Ottawa Terror Attacks Shatter Canadian Innocence -- Matthew Campbell, Bloomberg Businessweek

Photo Gallery

In pictures: Shots fired in Canada parliament -- BBC
Photos: Soldier shot at Canadian War Memorial -- Ottawa Citizen
Soldier shot in Ottawa at War Memorial (Photos) -- CTV

A Personal Commentary On Today`s Shootings In Ottawa

Armed RCMP officers head towards the Langevin Block on Parliament Hill following a shooting incident in Ottawa October 22, 2014. REUTERS/Chris Wattie

Ottawa Shooting: How An Oasis Of Tranquility Became Breeding Ground For Terrorists -- The Telegraph

As second soldier shot in two days, why is Canada being targeted by Islamic extremists?

For the second time in three days Canada has been appalled and shocked by an attack on a soldier by a suspected Islamic terrorist.

Once a byword for international peace and prosperity, the “other” Northern American nation is now suffering from attacks hitherto confined to Western nations known as being more active on the international stage.

While the facts of the latest shooting are still being established, here is what we know about Canada’s links to terrorism.

Canada is under attack:

With the shooting dead of a soldier at the Ottawa War Memorial, and the Parliament put under lockdown, Canadians can not escape the fact that they have become targets. The soldier was the second to be murdered in three days, meaning the Canadian authorities must now fear this is the start of a coordinated campaign of terror and will be braced for further assaults over the coming days and weeks.

Read more ....

My Comment: Regular readers of this blog know that I am a Canadian living in Montreal. I became a citizen because I love the peace and tranquility of the country, it`s laws, economic opportunities, tolerance, it`s freedoms .... and .... being a nature lover .... a perfect place to love the outdoors.

But today`s attack is not a surprise to me. When I moved into my first apartment in Montreal (1990s), I learned only after his arrest that the Millennium Bomber lived a short distance from my home .... and that is when I became fully aware that some of Canada`s immigrants may have a different agenda from someone like myself who wanted a different and better life.

But today`s attack on Parliament Hill hits me personally. I have friends who work there, and I have been there on more than one occasion. I have a great deal of respect for this incredible Canadian institution .... it is the symbol of a free and tolerant Canada. That is why it was attacked today .... and that is why many Canadians are in shock today.

Fortunately .... all of my friends who work there are OK .... but they are telling me that everything is now on lock-down and the situation is still tense (as of 13:55 EST). I am naturally talking to everyone right now .... so blogging will be light for the next few hours. But rest assure .... as more news becomes available .... I will be posting it.

Update: I will be posting a full recap at 18:00 EST

Multiple Shooters Reported In Canada`s Capital City. Parliament And Two Other Locations Attacked: News Roundup And Live Updates

Canadian Parliament Under Lockdown After Gunmen 'Shot Soldier Standing Guard At The National War Memorial Before Opening Fire In The Parliament Halls' -- Daily Mail

* A reserve soldier in his 30s was shot in the abdomen at the National War Memorial in Ottawa shortly before 10am on Wednesday
* Dozens of shots were then heard inside Parliament and shots were also reported at a third site, the Rideau Centre mall
* The Parliament's Sergeant-at-Arms shot one of the gunmen dead
* Witness accounts of a suspect include descriptions of him as short with long hair, overweight, wearing a dark jacket and 'Arabic scarf'
* Residents of the city have been warned to stay inside and away from windows as authorities swarm downtown in the search of the gunmen

A gunman has shot a Canadian soldier standing guard at the National War Memorial before multiple gunmen fired dozens of shots inside the halls of Parliament in Ottawa.

Police have said there are 'two or three' gunmen inside the building and one has been shot dead.

After Parliament was placed on lockdown, police swarmed downtown Ottawa as other shootings were reported at the Rideau Centre mall and the Chateau Laurier Hotel.

Read more ....

Live Updates On Today`s Shootings In Ottawa

CBC Live Updates (Video) -- CBC
LIVE NOW: CTV News Special Report: Parliament Hill Shooting (Video) -- CTV
Real-time coverage from Globe reporters in Ottawa -- Globe and Mail
Live News on Ottawa shooting -- Reuters
Canada Shooting Live -- CNN
Ottawa shooting: Canadian parliament in lockdown: Canada shooting: Latest coverage -- BBC
Shootout at Canadian parliament as police sweep area – live updates -- The Guardian
LIVE COVERAGE: Shooting at Canadian Parliament Building and Other Ottawa Sites -- FOX News

More News On Today`s Shootings In Ottawa

UPDATE: Soldier killed in War Memorial attack; gunman killed, others still sought -- Ottawa Citizen
Parliament Hill attack: 1 gunman dead after soldier shot at National War Memorial -- CBC
Gunman killed in Ottawa; 3 shootings confirmed -- CTV
The scene inside: Gunfire breaks out on a busy caucus day -- Globe and Mail
Soldier dies in chaotic Parliament Hill attack, Jason Kenney says -- Toronto Star
Attack on Ottawa: Police confirm 'several' shootings -- Globe and Mail
Shots fired on Parliament Hill, multiple injuries reported -- Canada.com
Soldier shot near Canada's parliament; shooter at large -- Reuters
Canadian parliament locked down, one suspect reported dead -- Reuters
Soldier killed in Canada shootings -- BBC
Multiple shooters reported in Canada attack -- CNN
Gunmen open fire at Canadian Parliament building; soldier down, 1 shooter possibly on loose -- FOX News
Canada Parliament Locked Down As Solider Shot at Memorial -- Bloomberg
Canada Shooting: Parliament Building on Lockdown Amid Gunfire -- ABC News
Soldier Shot Near Canadian Parliament Building -- VOA
Soldier shot near Canadian parliament -- Al Jazeera
Stephen Harper on today's shootings at Parliament Hill -- Ottawa Citizen
In a city under lockdown, Hill security under the spotlight -- Jeffrey Simpson, The Globe and Mail
In pictures: Shots fired in Canada parliament -- BBC
Photos: Soldier shot at Canadian War Memorial -- Ottawa Citizen
Soldier shot in Ottawa at War Memorial (Photos) -- CTV

Breaking News!!!! Shots Fired At Canada's War Memorial. Soldier Wounded. Gunman Seen Running Towards Parliament

First responders at a shooting at the War Memorial in Ottawa on Oct. 22, 2014 (Daniel Thibeault/CBC)

Soldier Shot At National War Memorial In Ottawa -- CBC

Bystanders providing first aid to injured at downtown landmark

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 Parliament Hill nearby.

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.

Read more ....

More News On Reports That Shots Have Been Fired At Canada's Parliament

Soldier shot in Ottawa at War Memorial -- CTV
Shots fired near Canada parliament -- BBC
Soldier shot, Parliament locked down after gunfire erupts at war memorial -- Globe and Mail
BREAKING: Soldier shot at War Memorial in Ottawa -- Ottawa Citizen

WNU Editor: This story will be updated in the next few hours.

An Islamic State Attack In Canada?

Soldier Hit By 'Radicalized' Driver In Quebec Dead -- Globe and Mail

One of the two soldiers struck by a Quebec motorist with suspected jihadi sympathies has died.

The Canadian Forces member, who had been taken to hospital in critical condition Monday, died during the evening, a Sûreté du‎ Québec spokesman, Sergeant Benoît Richard, confirmed in a telephone interview. He said the provincial police is not releasing more information at this time about the victim.

The soldiers were hit while they were walking late Monday morning in a shopping mall parking lot, a few kilometres from the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, the military academy operated by the Department of National Defence.

Read more ....

More News On Yesterday's Attack Against Two Canadian Soldiers In Quebec By A Convert To Radical Islam

Martin Rouleau, Quebec driver shot by police, 'radicalized': RCMP -- CBC
Soldier dies, man killed by police, following hit and run in St. Jean -- CTV
Canadian soldier dead after hit by 'radicalized' driver -- Reuters
Canadian Soldier Dies in Hit and Run -- WSJ
Canadian soldier dies after car attack; driver shot dead -- USA Today/AP
Driver who hit Canadian troops was 'suspected radical' -- France 24
One of two Canadian soldiers hit by 'radicalized' driver dies of his injuries -- FOX News
Apparent terrorist attack kills Canadian soldier in Montreal -- CBS/AP
Canadian police kill 'radicalised' man who rammed soldiers in Quebec -- The Guardian

My Comment: This attack occurred about 30 minutes away from where I live. And while I do know that there are many radical Muslims in Montreal, the surprise is that this was a young French Quebecer who embraced ISIS propaganda and converted to Islam.