General Chat

OH wakes me up as he gets up at 8:15 am ............... late, he'd wanted to be up early.

Turn on the radio ................. terrorist attack on Parliament Hill in Ottawa beginning around 9 am. They are 3 hours ahead of us ......... and that would have been about 2 pm UK time



One of the soldiers on guard at the National War Monument was shot ............ and has since died.

Gunman got the short distance to Central Block of Parliament .............. all MPs and staffers, and many journalists and others were there as this is caucus morning. The gunman got into the Block, but was shot dead by the Commons Sergeant-at-Arms.

A second person is believed to be still inside the Central Block, and it is thought there may be at least one more in the area


So far known that 3 people have been taken to hospital with shotgun wounds, one was the soldier, other 2 said to be stable.

Ottawa full of tourists, people going to work etc. There have been several reports that at least one of the gunmen was wearing Islamic-style dress


I've got the radio on and the whole of Ottawa downtown is in shut down and blocked off.


This follows a killing of another soldier on Monday in a Quebec town ......... a white man converted to Islam within the last 18 months drove his car at 2 soldiers in a parking lot. He then drove away, chased by police, and was later shot and killed by them.



we're far from Ottawa, about 3000 km ............... but it is shocking

Just seen that on our news Sylvia, shocking indeed,
hope it ends soon.

ISIS did threaten attacks in Canada the other week :-(

I live not far from Ottawa and my son works there, in the downtown core. I wonder if he'll get home tonight. The downtown core seems to be locked down.

Margee
I hope all is well with your son and he gets home without too much delay.

It is a frightening situation, when issues are brought into the cities and affect so many innocent people.

Keep safe all our Canadian friends.

Gwyn

Margee ...............

hope your son does get home!


it does sound as if it is all in lockdown ......... and Toronto Transit has announced there'll be higher security this evening on all transit



The Ottawa Senators hockey game has been cancelled / postponed ............... the opposing team is also in lock down as their hotel is in that area ............ I;d guess the Chateau or Westin



it's almost 2 pm there, isn't it?

I also hope all is well with your son Margee.

Take care all.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts re: my son. He just phoned from Ottawa and everything's fine. He does suspect that his bus home will be delayed. He could actually see the War Memorial from his office window.

Since my husband just passed away 2 weeks ago today I certainly didn't need this added anxiety.

Margee .............


I did not know that!


I am so sorry to hear it xxxx


and, no, you certainly did not need this anxiety ((((xxxxx))))



remember, we are here, you can always pm me if you want or need someone to talk to.

Margee I'm so sorry to hear this <3

Margee
I'm so sorry for your loss.

My thoughts are with you.

Gwyn

Margee, my condolences too <3

I hope the situation in Ottawa is brought to end quickly and with no further loss of innocent life

Thank you all so much.

My daughter tells me that I'm going through the stages of grief and I'm still in the denial stage. Next stage is anger so watch out, folks. Maybe I'll even start RRing posts in my anger.

Oh Margee.....so very sorry to hear this news. You certainly don't need any unnecessary stress at this time. Do take care of yourself. Cx :-)

Margee, I am sorry to read this sad news.

I'm glad your son was able to phone and let you know he is ok.

RIP, the fallen Canadian soldier

<3

So very sorry to hear of your loss,Msrgee.

Big hug for you,my friend. <3 <3

If you need to take out some anger-do it on the Suggestions Board. No one reads it anyway.

Moxxxx

It's now about 8 pm in Ottawa ..............

................. and much of the area around Parliament and downtown is still in lock down ..........

.............. security forces are still searching the Parliament building, and are uncertain as to whether there are still 1 or more accomplices around.

The leaders of the two Opposition parties are still in lock down safe places, and we are waiting to hear a national radio and TV address by the PM "shortly" .................... then the other 2 have to try to work out how they can respond to whatever has been said when they're hidden away!

AND they both hate the PM :-) so they really will want to respond!!!



The man killed in the Central Block, and believed to have killed the soldier, has been identified as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, 32 years old, a Quebecer ..................... who has been in trouble before with the law.

Drugs in Quebec, and robbery and uttering threats in BC

The worrying thing is both Quebec guys were converted to Muslum not born to it.
Toronto transit is indeed upgrading security mainly for the subways.
The soldier was unarmed and a reservist he didn't stand a chance.
This is with us having armed police everywhere every day, so UK be careful you're in their view too.
Ottawa is a lovely city much smaller than Toronto, you can easily run from the war memorial to the Parliament buildings in minutes. I'd like to know how this guy had a gun as we're not America where everyone carries one daily.

Caroline ..................

I've heard he used a rifle

How could someone apparently run around carrying a rifle or long shotgun????