Ottawa police say there is no longer a threat to public safety in downtown Ottawa. They have lifted the security perimeter around the Parliament buildings and surrounding area. However, police say residents will continue to see increased police presence in key areas over the next few days.
UPDATE: There is now official confirmation from the Ottawa Police of shootings at the National War Memorial and inside the Centre Block at Parliament.
There was no shooting near the Rideau Centre contrary to earlier reports.
Ottawa Police is confirming that the young Canadian solider from Hamilton has died.
He was shot at the National War Memorial.
One male shooter is confirmed dead. There are no further updates on injuries.
Previous version:
Police presence is massive at Parliament Hill.
Anywhere from 30-to-50 shots or more have been fired inside the Centre Block, outside the Chateau Laurier Hotel near the East Block and a Canadian soldier was shot while standing guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial.
The Prime Minister and all the political leaders and the MPs are safe and off Parliament.
It is confirmed one shooter is dead.
Police are reporting two or three possible shooters.
Background from Canadian Press:
A soldier standing guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa has been shot by an unknown gunman and there have been reports of gunfire inside the halls of Parliament.
Ottawa police confirmed they had a call at 6:52 a.m. (Pacific) with a report of shots fired.
Witnesses reported seeing the gunman running towards Parliament Hill, which is currently under lockdown. Others on the Hill say they heard shots being fired in several different corridors.
The whereabouts of the gunman are still unknown.
It is caucus morning on the Hill, meaning most MPs are in the Centre Block.
Police cars and emergency vehicles are clustered at the foot of the Peace Tower and the Centre Block is being evacuated.
Emergency responders are still on the scene and paramedics performed CPR on the soldier before he was taken away by ambulance.
The incident comes just two days after two Canadian soldiers were run over — and one of them killed — in Quebec by a man with jihadist sympathies.
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