[ot-caption title=”Tomb guard walks at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/AP903263606348.jpg”]

On October 22, 2014, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, armed with a hunting rifle and wearing a scarf that covered the lower half of his face, approached Corporal Nathan Cirillo, a ceremonial guard at the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Confederation Square, Ottawa. Zehaf-Bibeau shot Cirillo twice in the back, critically wounding him. Cirillo was carrying an unloaded firearm and was unable to fight back. Bystanders attempted to administer CPR to Cirillo until paramedics arrived to transport him to a hospital.

After shooting Cirillo, Zehaf-Bibeau returned to his parked vehicle and drove to Parliament Hill, entering Centre Block, the main building of the Canadian parliamentary complex. There, he struggled with a security guard who attempted to pull the rifle away from him; the guard was shot in the foot and had to release the gun, allowing Zehaf-Bibeau to run down the Hall of Honour. Other guards arrived to stop him, and they began to exchange gunfire; altogether, around twenty to thirty shots were fired.

Zehaf-Bibeau managed to reach an alcove by the entrance to the Library of Parliament before he was confronted by Parliament’s sergeant-in-arms Kevin Vickers. Vickers engaged Zehaf-Bibeau, shooting at him at point-blank range. Meanwhile, members of parliament scheduled to begin a caucus in the Conservative Caucus Room heard the gunshots and were told to evacuate; some left the premises while others attempted to barricade the entrance to the room, fearing that there were multiple shooters outside. Zehaf-Bibeau eventually fell to the ground from his injuries; Vickers continued shooting, emptying an entire magazine.

All of Ottawa’s federal buildings were placed on lockdown at 10:40 am, and police ordered bystanders outside Parliament Hill to evacuate the area. After receiving notice of the attack, the American government increased security at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. At 11:20 am, Zehaf-Bibeau was confirmed to be dead. Corporal Cirillo died of his injuries in the hospital later in the day. Vickers received a standing ovation in the House of Commons for his bravery on Thursday, October 23.

Zehaf-Bibeau was a Canadian citizen with an extensive criminal history, ranging from robbery to drug-related offenses. He was not legally allowed to purchase a firearm; where he obtained the rifle used in the shooting has yet to be discovered. His motives are currently unknown; although it was initially suspected that he had connections with ISIS, so far evidence has shown that he was working alone.

Parliament Hill reopened to visitors on October 25, with its flags at half-mast.

Sources: BBC, CBC News, CNN, The Independent, Maclean’s, National Post