الرئيسية » أخبار عاجلة » Ottawa: Corporal, gunman confirmed dead in shooting spree; police on lookout for at least one more suspect
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Ottawa: Corporal, gunman confirmed dead in shooting spree; police on lookout for at least one more suspect

Ottawa: Corporal, gunman confirmed dead in shooting spree; police on lookout for at least one more suspect
Canada’s capital city Ottawa was the scene of multiple shootings on Wednesday, with Ottawa police confirming firings at two locations as life ground to a halt in the city.
The police have confirmed that shootings took place at Parliament Hill and the National War Memorial. Twenty-four-year-old corporal Nathan Cirillo succumbed to injuries sustained during one of the shootings.
At a press conference later in the afternoon, officials said that a male gunman had been killed. An official anonymously told Associated Press that the dead gunman was 32-year-old Michael Zehaf-Bibeau. According to NBC News, sources claim that Zehaf-Bibeau, formerly known by Michael Joseph Hall, was a Muslim convert.
Additionally, officials neither confirmed nor denied reports of multiple shooters; a spokesperson for the Ottawa police had earlier told The Huffington Post that they are on the lookout for at least one more shooter.
Around 10 a.m., the police started receiving calls that someone had opened fire and fatally shot a Canadian soldier standing guard at the National War Memorial.
Reuters reported that eyewitness had seen the man run across the street to Parliament Hill; the man, whose face was covered with a black scarf, reportedly carried a double-barrel shotgun and hijacked a car across to the main parliament building.


MP Mark Strahl tweeted that he heard multiple shots inside the building.


Cabinet minister Tony Clement also tweeted about the gunshots, saying that he heard at least 30 of them.


A spokesperson for Ottawa hospital confirmed that they had received four people in the wake of the shooting, three of whom are currently stable.
A spokesperson for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper confirmed that he had left Parliament Hill and was safe.
The Parliament remained on lockdown, with the police advising civilians in downtown Ottawa to stay indoors and away from roofs and windows. Cell phones in the neighborhood were also blocked, with the Globe and Mail reporting that public buildings in the area are also under lockdown. Canadian Forces bases in the country are also closed to public for the moment.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson commented on the day’s violence, saying that it was “a sad and tragic day for our city and our country” and that the attack’s origins were “not fully known, causes not yet fully understood”.

Ottawa Shooting Receives Nationwide Condemnation from Canadian Muslims

Canadian Muslims – individuals and organizations – have expressed their condemnation of the Ottawa shooting. The two incidents have been vocally denounced as having no connection to Islam.
Ihsaan Gardee, the executive director of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, was highly critical of the attacks. “We stand united with Canadians in categorically condemning these cowardly and heinous acts. Our message to anyone who believes in violent extremist ideologies is that you have nothing to do with Islam,” Gardee said.
“You have nothing to do with the noble principles of our faith, which categorically condemns the taking of innocent life.”
“I hope we are not going to change too much as far as our safety is concerned and as far as our freedom is concerned, but our safety was affected,” Imam Sikander Hashmi from the Kanata Muslim Association said on CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning.
“It definitely feels very different. It’s actually making me feel very sad.” He added.
Ottawa police Chief Charles Bordeleau issued a letter urging the masses to unite. “This is about one individual who committed a despicable act. I want to reassure (groups) should there be any backlash that they notify us.… We are there to continue to support them.”
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada released a statement condemning the attacks.
“These acts of terror have no basis in any religion. Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased and we offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the soldier who gave his life in today’s attacks in Ottawa as well as the soldier who was killed earlier in the week in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
As Canadians, we pray that God Almighty protect all Canadians from harm and that these terrorists are brought to justice. The Khalifa of Islam, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, has stated that Ahmadi Muslims should become Ambassadors of peace, and continue to influence others with their loyalty to their nation, love for mankind, and service to humanity. Mr. Lal Khan Malik, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Canada, said, “I’m shocked and strongly denounce these heinous attacks on the lives of those who dedicate themselves to protect our great nation.”
Daniel Hummel, a Professor at the Idaho State University and General Secretary of the Islamic Society of Southeastern Idaho who converted to Islam 12 years ago, was upset with the attacks.
“Any time there is an act of violence, either by a Muslim or non-Muslim, we are upset. We don’t like it and it is just as abhorrent as any other case of violence. People who convert to Islam should not go down this violent road. My religion does not teach me to do this.” He said after offering evening prayers.
“I know this community and I know 100 percent that no one feels this is OK,” Hummel said, asserting that nobody in the Muslim community condones such acts of violence.
Muslims and fellow Canadians also took to twitter in condemnation of the attacks and against Islamophobia.

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