Following Ottawa shooting, a day of remembrance

World Today

flowers for victims of Ottawa shootingFlowers are left in memorial for Cpl. Nathan Cirillo of the Canadian Army Reserves, who was killed yesterday while standing guard in front of the National War Memorial by a lone gunman, on October 23, 2014 in Ottawa, Canada. After killing Cirillo the gunman stormed the main parliament building, terrorizing the public and politicians, before he was shot dead. Andrew Burton/Getty Images/AFP

One day after shootings at the Canadian National War Memorial and Parliament building rocked the national capital of Ottawa, Ontario, Canadians celebrated those who demonstrated bravery as well as a commemoration of those who lost their lives. CCTV America’s Kristiaan Yeo reports from Ottawa.

Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was killed on Wednesday as he guarded the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Ontario.

Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was killed on Wednesday as he guarded the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Ontario.

Canadian Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers was lauded a hero in Ottawa. His ceremonial role as protector of Parliament called on him to act at a moment’s notice amid chaos in the heart of the Canadian capital.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper also honored the two soldiers who died this week, as well as the responders who risked their lives to keep Parliament and the public safe.

Harper was joined at the Canadian War Memorial by dignitaries and members of the public, laying flowers at the fateful spot where Wednesday’s terror first unfolded.

It was a tribute to Corporal Nathan Cirillo, the guard who was fatally shot by Michael Zehaf Bibaeu, and to Patrice Vincent, the serviceman mowed down in Quebec by another radicalized Canadian on Monday.

The two attacks on home soil in three days marks an unprecedented escalation in terror for Canada. The nation’s intelligence agency has been calling for more authority to monitor homegrown radicals. Recent events are likely to make it easier in Parliament for lawmakers to broaden spying powers.

“In recent weeks, I’ve been saying that our laws and police powers need to be strengthened in the area of surveillance, detention, and arrest,” said Prime Minister Harper. “They need to be much strengthened, and I assure you Mr. Speaker, that work that is already underway will be expedited.”

Meanwhile, police said the shooter was in Ottawa to apply for a passport. It’s thought he wanted to travel to Syria.

New footage of his rampage has also emerged, showing him shoot Cirillo from behind.

A security perimeter around Parliament remains in place.

CCTV America spoke to Matt Millar the Ottawa bureau chief at the Vancouver Observer who was an eyewitness to the events at Parliament.

Both of the suspects in this week’s terror attacks were Canadian-born, raising the question of a possible rise in home-grown terrorism. CCTV America interviewed Jeffrey Dvorkin, a professor at the University of Toronto-Scarborough, about the possibility that such acts could become more frequent.


Canada reacts to shooting

Canada Shooting

People watch from a distance as Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, on Thursday. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld)

Ottawa awoke to a sombre reality on Thursday, the day after a lone gunman killed a soldier standing guard at Canada’s National War Memorial before firing shots and running into parliament.

Crowds gathered at the war memorial started singing Canada’s national anthem early in the morning to honour Corporal Nathan Cirillo.

A man was detained by police near where Harper put down the wreath. Police said the man tried to breach the crime scene and predicted there would be minor charges.

The gunman was identified as 32-year-old petty criminal Michael Zehaf-Bibeau.

The attacks stunned Canadians and raised concerns their country was being targeted for reprisals after the nation joined the U.S.-led air campaign against the extremist Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

Gunman, soldier dead in shooting attack at Canada’s Parliament


Sargeant-at-arms honored  

Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers

The Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers receives a standing ovation as he enters the House of Commons Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014 in Ottawa. Vickers was among those who opened fire on Michael Zehaf Bibeau, who stormed Parliament Hill on Wednesday. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld )

Fifty-eight-year-old Parliament sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers received a number of standing ovations on Thursday as he opened Canada’s parliament, the day after shooting a gunman just outside the MP’s caucus rooms.

The attacker, identified as 32-year-old petty criminal Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, had gunned down a soldier, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, at point-blank range in front of the National War Memorial.

Members of Parliament gave Vickers a rousing standing ovation for saving their lives as Parliament resumed on Thursday morning.

As Vickers walked into the House of Commons his lips quivered with emotion and he acknowledged the lengthy ovation.

A minutes’ silence was held for Cirillo.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid tribute to both servicemen, as well as “all the people who undertake this extremely dangerous work on behalf of us.”


Mom of Canada suspect: I cry for victims, not son

The following is the full text of a statement issued to The Associated Press by the parents of Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, the man authorities say killed a soldier at Ottawa’s war memorial, then stormed Parliament before being shot dead. The statement was in response to an AP email which asked about reports that their son was mentally unstable or otherwise vulnerable.

“Hi, I am writing this note on behalf of my husband and myself. No words can express the sadness we are feeling at this time. We are so sad that a man lost his life. He has lost everything and he leaves behind a family that must feel nothing but pain and sorrow. We send our deepest condolences to them although words seem pretty useless. We are both crying for them. We also wish to apologize for all the pain, fright and chaos he created. We have no explanation to offer. I am mad at our son, I don’t understand and part of me wants to hate him at this time. You write that our son was vulnerable, we don’t know, we (he) was lost and did not fit in. I his mother spoke with him last week over lunch, I had not seen him for over five years before that. So I have very little insight to offer. We don’t wish to be part of any media circus, we don’t think it will add anything to the conversation. Please respect our privacy although many may not feel we deserve any … Once again we are so sorry.
Susan Bibeau and Bulgasem Zehaf”

Report complied with information from The Associated Press.