WATCH: Global News reporter Ted Chernecki has an update after a day of chaos in Ottawa.
VANCOUVER – Following the Parliament Hill shooting in Ottawa on Wednesday morning, a number of B.C. MPs took to Twitter and social media to let people know they are safe.
They were instructed to take cover and many were in lockdown for hours or moved to a secure location.
Minister of Industry and MP for Port Moody, James Moore, took his Facebook page to reassure everyone what was happening:
October 22, 2014.
A date I won’t ever forget.
I am in a room a few yards from the shooting. I am with others and we are safe as this unfolds.
God bless those who kept us safe today.
Lessons will be learned and Canada will move forward and be stronger.
The alleged gunman in the shooting is 32-year-old Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, sources have confirmed to Global News.
Zehaf-Bibeau was reportedly recently designated a “high-risk traveller” and had his passport seized, according to The Globe and Mail.
Court documents show the person with the same name and year of birth was charged with robbery in Vancouver in 2011.
Vancouver police revealed earlier today they are working together with BC RCMP to assist Ottawa police and the RCMP National Security investigation.
WATCH: B.C.’s connection to Ottawa shooting suspect
They say anyone who may have any information in connection with this active and on-going investigation or is aware of any criminal extremism or suspicious activities which could pose a threat to national safety and security is encouraged to call 1-800-420-5805.
The BC Legislature in Victoria is also adding extra security measures, meaning business as usual but no members of the public are allowed inside.
B.C. Premier Christy Clark says while everyone has to be very concerned about security, they do not want the Legislature to be “fenced in and shut down.”
WATCH: Moment of silence observed at BC Legislature
“We have to be very careful not to shut the public out,” says Clark. “One of the things that people who use terror want to do is to undermine our democratic institutions. Public involvement and access to those institutions is vitally important for them to continue to work.”
Legislature Chief Clerk Craig James made a surprising disclosure, saying Ottawa authorities had issued a heightened security warning to B.C. legislature authorities a few days ago.
“We are aware and have been aware of heightened concern from entities in Ottawa,” says James, adding they received the information a few days ago.
WATCH: Extra security measures taken at BC Legislature
Global BC‘s Legislative Bureau Chief Keith Baldrey says extra security measures are already being put in place: a metal detector is going to be installed at a downstairs entrance to the Legislature.
READ MORE: ‘People immediately hit the floor’: MP speaks from inside Parliament about shooting
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson issued a statement Wednesday afternoon, offering his condolences and saying the city is taking all possible precautions.
“Today’s news from the nation’s capital is shocking and tragic. Vancouver’s thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ottawa and the family of the Canadian soldier whose life was lost today,” reads the statement.
“I have spoken with Chief Jim Chu and Vancouver is taking every possible added precaution in light of these events. All Canadians owe tremendous thanks to Canada’s first responders and our colleagues in Ottawa who are working hard to support those affected by these senseless acts of violence.”
WATCH: Vancouver mayor offers condolences to those affected in Ottawa
There will now be a heightened police presence at Vancouver City Hall and a number of other city facilities, and MP offices across the province are closed.
Flowers, messages of condolence and teddy bears were also being dropped off at the Cenotaph in Vancouver this afternoon.
The incident is raising questions about public safety at the upcoming Remembrance Day commemorations next month.
Cam Cathcart, chairman of the Remembrance Day event in Vancouver, says, “We don’t take this lightly, but we are going to proceed with the event as we always do. Local authorities are looking at our plan and are going to review it and we will consider those conclusions and proceed accordingly.”
We are following the situation and you can check out their tweets below:
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