This may turn out to have nothing to do with the Islamic State’s threats or with the Canadian hit-and-run jihadi who murdered a Canadian soldier a few days ago. But given those threats and that jihad murder, a jihad connection here cannot immediately be ruled out.
“Shots fired at Canada war memorial. Soldier seen falling,” by Adam Button, ForexLive, October 22, 2014:
Shots have been fired and a soldier was seen falling at the Canadian war memorial. The story is breaking on Bloomberg headlines, they also note that police are on the scene.
The early report says the attack is near Parliament which means it’s probably at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa, which is guarded by usually two soldiers 24 hours per day. They’d be a target if someone was looking to kill Canadian soldiers.
Earlier this week, a soldier was killed by a radical Islamist at a Canadian shopping centre.
ISIS has called for followers in other countries to attack.
UPDATE: “Canadian soldier shot in Ottawa, Parliament on lock down,” Sun News, October 22, 2014:
A soldier has been shot in Ottawa at the War Memorial a second body is reportedly on the ground just outside the Library of Parliament.
A witness told Sun News Network that a man arrived by car on Wellington Street at the War Memorial, with a blanket over what turned out to be a gun.
The man shot a solider four times.
A second individual was driving the vehicle.
Paramedics arrived on scene as witnesses were performing CPR on the soldier who was non-responsive at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
After fleeing the War Memorial, the shooter reportedly went towards Parliament Hill.
He has now been killed.
“Lone gunman is deceased. We are OK,” tweeted Bob Zimmer, MP for Prince George-Peace River, B.C.
“Gunman at Parliament’s Centre Block has been shot and killed,” says Bernard Trottier, MP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore in Toronto.
Another body is reported to be on the ground just outside the Library of Parliament. Dozens of shots were heard.
Tony Clement tweeted, “Shots fired during caucus meeting. at least 30 shots. MPs piled out. I’m safe with 2 colleagues but we’re still at risk.”
According to a witness, the shooter was wearing blue jeans and a bandana and is in his early twenties. They had long black, curly hair.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is safe and has been removed from Parliament Hill, according to his Director of Communications.
The Cenotaph at the War Memorial is always guarded by two soldiers as a sign of respect.
There is no word on where the second suspect – the driver – is and building around Parliament are on lockdown.