Canada parliament attack: eye-witness account

Ebony Bowden
Oct 23, 2014, updated Oct 23, 2014

Canadian journalist Josh Wingrove has tweeted a minute-by-minute account of a shooting in Canada’s parliament which saw two men killed.

The Globe and Mail reporter was inside the national parliament in Ottowa when a gunman stormed the building, following the shooting of a soldier at a nearby war memorial.

The gunman was fatally shot by Canadian police after exchanging heavy gunfire inside the halls of parliament.

• Gunman storms Canadian parliament

Parts of downtown Ottowa and Parliament Hill were placed in lockdown while heavily armed police searched buildings.

Police are yet to establish a motive for the attack and have not been able to confirm whether there are more suspects involved.

Gunfire in pariament

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) October 22, 2014

A body outside ground at library of parliament pic.twitter.com/gtxWamyWmQ

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) October 22, 2014

Looks like the suspect – talk is there was one but they are looking for people – came in through front doors — Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) October 22, 2014

We’ve been moved into the lobby of the House to be safe pic.twitter.com/4L4uH4vgRU — Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) October 22, 2014

One agent may have been shot, officer tells press

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) October 22, 2014

I heard dozens of gunshots and the smell of gunpowder is heavy in the hallways right now

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) October 22, 2014

The talk from cops is that there was believed to be one suspect but they are searching the building now and saying it is not safe. — Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) October 22, 2014

Ottawa police tactical officers are here and very kindly pointed their guns at every reporter, ordering hands in the air and us to ground — Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) October 22, 2014

Police now searching all rooms that weren’t locked pic.twitter.com/YAVgZFau5Q

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) October 22, 2014

We are still in lockdown here in Parliament’s Centre Block. The building appears to still be under a search, officers with guns drawn

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) October 22, 2014

Inside the building, we’ve been told to keep away from windows — Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) October 22, 2014

Colleague says they were taken away from the Hill because there may be a shooter on the roof. May explain why we are still in lockdown. — Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) October 22, 2014

One Parliamentary guard was shot in the leg and is OK in hospital, House of Commons security officer tells us. Another was shot in pantleg.

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) October 22, 2014