The News Minute| October 23, 2014| 12.00 pm IST
Canadians in the parliament on Wednesday were taken by surprise as they heard gunshots and before they realized it were in the middle of an apparent “terrorist attack”. The terrorist identified as 32-year-old Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, opened fire in the parliament and killed a soldier; a Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was shot and killed after the gunman opened fire in the nation’s capital just before 10 a.m.
RIP to Cpl. Nathan Cirillo a soldier that was killed today at the #OttawaShooting . He was too young to die :( pic.twitter.com/HkrcK06hYr
— 돈나 (@kpoplover727) October 23, 2014The gunman was later shot dead in the Parliament’s Centre Block amid a frantic search for the assailant and any accomplices. A lot of MP’s were locked down for almost 10 hours and they took to social networking sites to live tweet the attack and later to let the people know that they were safe.
Shots fired during caucus meeting. at least 30 shots. MPs piled out. I'm safe with 2 colleagues but we're still at risk...
— Tony Clement (@TonyclementCPC) October 22, 2014I'm with colleages Mark Strahl and Kyle Seeback. PM was in Caucus but now secure. Assuming it's not safe to venture out yet...
— Tony Clement (@TonyclementCPC) October 22, 2014Finally out of the building #ottawashooting
— Tony Clement (@TonyclementCPC) October 22, 2014Heard 10 gunshots outside our Caucus room...hope everyone is safe...
— Don Davies, MP (@DonDavies) October 22, 2014More yelling, gunshot sounds in Centre Block #ParliamentHill. A lot!
— Joyce Murray 梅麗喬 (@joycemurray) October 22, 2014Still in lockdown at cdn human rights tribunal - asking us to stay inside
— Jean Crowder (@JeanCrowder) October 22, 2014The entire event was a jolt to the country and a small memorial site near the place of the incident have brought a huge number of people together to show their respect for the unfortunate victims of this attack.
Some mps are in our room and others in different room #cdnpoli #cknw #news1130 Heavy security outside hallway now
— Jasbir Sandhu, MP (@jasbirsandhu) October 22, 2014Thanks to everyone in #burnaby & #newwest for their calls & e-mails. My staff and I are safe & under lock-down. Constit office closed today.
— Peter Julian (@MPJulian) October 22, 2014The Prime Minister of the country Stephen Harper said “This week’s events are a grim reminder that Canada is not immune to the types of terrorist attacks we have seen elsewhere around the world,” “We are also reminded that attacks on our security personnel and our institutions of governance are by their very nature attacks on our country, on our values, on our society, on us Canadians as a free and democratic people who embrace human dignity for all. But let there be no misunderstanding. We will not be intimidated. Canada will never be intimidated.”