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Shooting At Canadian Parliament Claims One Life

By Max Johnson, Staff writer

At 9:50 on the morning of October 23rd, shots were heard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Witnesses reported that a gunman wearing an “Arab” scarf had shot at two soldiers, hitting and killing one and missing the other. At this point the gunman had fled the scene and driven to Parliament Hill, where he stole a minister’s car and drove to the parliament building. Arriving at the parliament building at 9:53, witnesses describe the gunman carrying a 30-30 Winchester Lever Action Rifle as he ran into the parliament building. Shortly after his entrance of the building, police officers in pursuit arrived and followed the gunman in.

During this time, a session was being held in the caucasus room of the building, but was promptly stopped as security officers began to tell everyone to take cover as they searched the building for the intruder. Kevin Vickers, sergeant at arms engaged the shooter and the two proceed to fire at one another until more officers arrived at the scene. At sometime between 9:54 and 10 a.m. the gunman was shot by Vickers and several other police officers.

The only reported casualty was of Corporal. Nathan Cirillo, who was stationed at the War Memorial when he was shot. Cirillo was 25 at the time of his death and left behind a six year old son.

The gunman has been identified as 32-year-old Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, who previously had only minor offenses on his criminal record, including drug offenses, attempted robbery, and other small criminal activities. Bibeau had spent several days in jail in 2000 for petty crimes but this was the only time he had been sentenced. Dave Bathurst was a friend of Bibeau after the two met in mosque three years ago, and described Bibeau showing “erratic behavior” but did not at the time present any extremist views.

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