WATCH: A collection of some of the most striking raw video from Wednesday morning’s shooting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
TORONTO – Amid a heightened security environment in Ottawa and across the country, questions remain as to how a gunman succeeded in killing a Canadian soldier and continuing on a rampage into Parliament’s Centre Block.
We look back at a timeline of how the Ottawa shooting unfolded over more than 10 hours on Wednesday.
READ MORE: ‘We have to keep moving forward’ — Ottawa heads back to work post-shooting
9:52 a.m. – Ottawa Police receive 9-1-1 calls of gun shots at the National War Memorial, including reports that a Canadian honour guard was shot. The guard is later identified as Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.
According to eyewitness reports: The gunman comes from the left hand side of the guards and fires a shot directly at one of the soldiers, who falls to the ground. When the second soldier goes to his aid, the gunman takes off across the street and into a vehicle.
Witnesses say: The gunman and another man abandon a Toyota Corolla with no license plates outside Parliament Hill. The gunman runs up the hill, and the driver goes in another direction.
The gunman, later identified as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, somehow makes his way past security and into the Centre Block as government and opposition MPs are in their weekly caucus meetings.
READ MORE: What we know about suspected shooter Michael Zehaf-Bibeau
Global News confirms Prime Minister Harper was addressing caucus when shots were heard outside the room.
9:54 a.m. – Globe and Mail reporter Josh Wingrove tweets that he hears gunfire inside Parliament’s Centre Block building. Two minutes later, he reports hearing “dozens” of shots and sees a body on the ground outside the Library of Parliament.
Watch below: Exchange of gunfire in Parliament Hill building captured on video by the Globe and Mail
The gunman is shot dead during an exchange of gunfire in the Hall of Honour. Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers has since been credited as the man who shot Zehaf-Bibeau. According to a report from CBC, he tells Conservative MPs barricaded in their caucus room, “I put him down,” before leaving to reload.
READ MORE: Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers honoured in House of Commons
House of Commons Security Services Const. Samearn Son suffers a gunshot wound to the leg during the incident. He is in “stable condition and expected to make a full recovery,” according to a statement from Vickers.
10:03 a.m. – A woman is seen performing CPR on Cirillo, who is lying next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the War Memorial after being shot.
10:15 a.m. or shortly before – Harper’s motorcade is seen leaving Parliament Hill.
10:20 a.m. – Cirillo is admitted to The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic Campus; he later succumbs to his injuries.
READ MORE: Cpl. Nathan Cirillo killed in Ottawa remembered as ‘proud soldier’
10:21 a.m. – Harper’s spokesperson confirms the prime minister is safe and away from Parliament Hill.
10:22 a.m. -Police widen the barricaded area around Parliament Hill, and place buildings on lockdown.
10:25 a.m. – RCMP tweets out its first statement asking the public to stay away from Parliament Hill “due to ongoing police incident.” News of the shooting spreads online and is featured on TV newscasts around the world.
10:37 a.m.; 12:05 p.m.; 12:43 p.m. – Three other patients related to the shooting are admitted to The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic Campus with minor, non-life-threatening injuries.
10:44 a.m. – RCMP issues a statement advising people in Ottawa to stay inside. Shortly after, police advise everyone to avoid the downtown core and “to stay away from windows and off roofs.”
10:59 a.m. – Ottawa Police announce their stations are closed to public due to the shooting.
11:13 a.m. – Ottawa Police confirm they are dealing with multiple suspects, but not how many are armed. Police say they are “investigating several shooting incidents in downtown Ottawa.”
11:17 a.m. – Armed police at the War Memorial take cover behind cruisers and walls.
11:28 a.m. – Parliament Hill security issues an advisory of all buildings being under lockdown and instructs everyone to stay inside offices with doors locked, away from windows. Evacuations also occur as officers search for suspects.
Shortly after, the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa is reportedly on lockdown.
12:06 p.m. – Reports emerge of armed police running eastward down Wellington St. telling people to get down.
12:10 p.m. Harper’s spokesman confirms the prime minister has cancelled his scheduled events for the day, including an honourary citizenship ceremony with Malala Yousafzai.
12:15 p.m. RCMP advise the public the situation is ongoing, and ask Canadians to remain vigilant.
12:37 p.m. Conservative MP John Williams tweets that government caucus received confirmation a few minutes earlier that a Canadian Forces member had been killed.
1:21 p.m. White House spokesperson Josh Earnest issues a statement on the situation in Ottawa; U.S. President Barack Obama calls the shooting “tragic.”
Watch below: Josh Earnest discusses the shooting incident, says Obama will call Harper to discuss
1:28 p.m. The NHL announces the cancellation of hockey game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators in Ottawa; it’s later rescheduled for Nov. 9.
1:45 p.m. Ottawa Police confirm the Canadian Forces member has died from the shooting, but do not provide victim’s identification as next of kin are still being identified. Police also confirm one shooting suspect is deceased.
READ MORE: Ottawa gunman was staying at local shelter
An earlier report of a third incident at the Rideau Centre is retracted as incorrect.
2:15 p.m. RCMP and Ottawa Police hold a press conference and say the situation is ongoing. The deaths of the suspected shooter and the soldier are confirmed, though identities are not officially released.
RCMP don’t say whether the attack was linked to terrorism, and don’t answer questions as to whether there are multiple suspects. RCMP ask Ottawa residents to remain on the watch for anything suspicious and say the investigation is ongoing.
Watch below: Ottawa police chief Charles Bordeleau confirms some details of the shooting
2:29 p.m. Harper’s spokesperson advises that Harper has spoken with the leaders of the Opposition and third party, Thomas Mulcair and Justin Trudeau, who are both safe.
Between 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Some buildings in Ottawa’s downtown core, including the Rideau Centre, have their lockdowns lifted so people can leave.
4:17 p.m. David Cirillo posts on Facebook that his cousin, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, was shot “point blank in front of the Parliament Hill this morning.”
5:10 p.m. Ottawa police reduce the size of the “safety perimeter” but residents inside the area are still asked to stay indoors until further notice.
6:18 p.m. – The remaining three patients are released from the Civic Campus of the Ottawa Hospital.
7:06 p.m. The lockdown for 131 Queen, 181 Queen, 155 Queen, 125 Sparks, the Howard Building, 99 Bank and 50 O’Connor is reinstated. Anyone in the downtown core is asked to remain in their current location.
8:00 p.m. Harper, followed by Mulcair, addresses Canadians, calling it a “terrorist” attack.
“This is a grim reminder that Canada is not immune to the types of terrorist attacks we have seen elsewhere around the world,” Harper said. “This will lead us to strengthen our resolve and redouble our efforts and those of our national security agencies to take all necessary steps to identify and counter threats and keep Canada safe here at home.”
Watch below: Harper addresses the nation following what he calls a “terrorist” attack
8:25 p.m. ET – The safety perimeter in Ottawa’s downtown core is lifted, but Parliament Hill continues to be off-limits to the public.
WATCH: Parliament Hill shooting timeline
9 p.m.– Trudeau addresses Canadians, saying answers as to how and why the attack happened will be “vital” to prevent future attacks.
“To our friends and fellow citizens in the Muslim community, Canadians know acts such as these committed in the name of Islam are an aberration of your faith. Continued mutual cooperation and respect will help prevent the influence of distorted ideological propaganda posing as religion. We will walk forward together, not apart.”
Watch below: Trudeau urges Canadians not to forget their values in the face of terrorist acts
With files from Amy Minsky and The Canadian Press
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