A gunman was reportedly shot dead inside the Canadian parliament building Wednesday morning after at least 20 shots were fired in what authorities are saying could have been a three-part commando action.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) rushed to clear the crowded building and move the prime minister to safety after the gunshots began. The Toronto Star newspaper quoted sources as saying the gunman was shot dead by police inside the historic Parliament Centre Block.
Meanwhile, a soldier was reported shot outside the nearby National War Memorial and taken away by ambulance. A third shooting incident was reported at the Rideau Centre, which is part of Parliament Hill complex along with the National War Memorial and the Parliament Centre building.
The incidents come just two days after two members of the Canadian Armed Forces were struck by a hit-and-run driver in Quebec which authorities said was an act of terrorism. The Canada-United States joint North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has gone to a higher alert status, US media reported.
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