VANCOUVER – MP for Vancouver Kingsway, Don Davies, said everyone inside Centre Block in Parliament Hill in Ottawa is just trying to stay calm while they remain under lockdown.
A Canadian soldier was shot and killed and a male suspect is dead following a shooting at the War Memorial in Ottawa Wednesday morning.
When the shooting happened, Parliament and many buildings in the area, were immediately placed under lockdown. Davies and many others were inside Centre Block attending meetings.
“First we heard six gunshots and then another four gunshots, and we subsequently learned a gunman had gotten into the House of Commons with a rifle and was shot and killed outside our door,” said Davies, speaking from Ottawa.
READ MORE: Parliament Hill shooting in Ottawa: B.C. MPs seek shelter, safety
“It has been a very disturbing day, everybody is calm but we’re shaken,” added Davies.
He said the first loud noise they heard was like a metal trolley slamming into the door, followed by about five or six shots. People hit the floor and a number of people ran to the door to try to secure them.
“Then 30 seconds later on the other side of the room were another four shots, so it was unclear whether there were multiple gunmen out there or whether a single gunman was there,” he added.
“I don’t think terrifying would be too strong a word.”
About two minutes later the group was evacuated by security and they could smell the “aftermath of a gun fight” in the hallway. Then they were ushered into another room and due to reports of a gunman on the roof, they have had to take cover under tables for about two hours.
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Davies said they didn’t know what was happening, but they could hear the sounds of gunfire outside.
“I guess we went into survival mode,” he said.
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Many were people in the group were very upset and one of the members even had her baby with her.
“I have no doubt that the gunman was probably going to burst into our room, the Conservative Caucus room, and if that had happened there could have been a number of politicians shot,” said Davies.
He said at the moment they are all trying to stay patient and calm and not rush to judgement. “Obviously this was a dark and disturbing day in Canadian history,” he added.
He said there will be a lot of important questions to ask in the days and weeks ahead.
It is unknown when the lockdown will be lifted or when MPs and their staff will be allowed home.
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