Harper condemns Ottawa attack

A gunman fatally shot a soldier at Canada's National War Memorial, and then entered the parliament building, where police killed him Wednesday. As many as 30 shots were heard inside the building. People fled the building by scrambling down scaffolding erected for renovations, witnesses told the Canadian Press news agency.

"One shooting victim succumbed to injuries," the Ottawa Police and Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced in a joint statement referring to the soldier shot at the National War Memorial. "He was a member of the Canadian forces. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones." The agencies added that "one male suspect has also been confirmed as deceased" and called on witnesses to come forward and for residents to stay clear of Ottawa's downtown area.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has condemned the "despicable attack," in a statement. Harper "reiterated the importance of the continued functioning of the government and our parliament."

'We don't know'

By afternoon local time, police said their investigation continued, but did not confirm earlier reports of more gunmen. Officers backed by armored vehicles sealed off the parliament building.

"We are actively looking for suspects right now, so we don't know if it is suspect one or suspects plural," Ottawa Police Constable Marc Soucy told the news agency Reuters.

The police had no immediate word on the gunman's motive, but the attack came a day after officers shot to death a man who allegedly drove over two soldiers, killing one, in what authorities branded a terrorist attack. Officials had raised the security threat level from low to medium after the car attack, which came as Canada approved jets to join the US-led air armada bombarding the "Islamist State" group in Iraq.

The level "means that intelligence has indicated that an individual or group within Canada or abroad has the intent and capability to commit an act of terrorism," the Public Safety Ministry announced.

In the United States, the White House announced that President Barack Obama had received a briefing on the situation and that air defenses for both countries stood on alert. The United States has also placed its embassy in Ottawa on lockdown.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has called the series of events a "sad and tragic day" for the capital.

mkg/sb (Reuters, AFP, dpa, AP)