Flowers are left in memorial for Cpl. Nathan Cirillo of the Canadian Army Reserves, who was killed yesterday while standing guard in front of the National War Memorial by a lone gunman, on October 23, 2014 in Ottawa, Canada. After killing Cirillo the gunman stormed the main parliament building, terrorizing the public and politicians, before he was shot dead. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
Canada’s parliament is showing its gratitude to its sergeant-at-arms, Kevin Vickers, who is credited with stopping yesterday’s shooting attack inside parliament by shooting the attacker just outside the caucus rooms of the lawmakers.
Members of Parliament gave Vickers a rousing standing ovation for saving their lives as Parliament resumed this morning. As Vickers walked into the House of Commons, his lips quivered in emotion, and he acknowledged the lengthy ovation.
Vickers serves a largely ceremonial role at the House of Commons, carrying a mace and wearing green robes, white gloves and a tall imperial hat.
Police now believe that Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, who was killed in the exchange of fire at the Parliament, was the lone gunman in yesterday’s attack.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today urged members of Parliament to seek medical help if they are suffering stress from the attack.
In an uncharacteristically personal speech, Harper said, “Here we are in our seats, in our chamber in the very heart of our democracy, at work.” He said, “We will not be intimidated.”
He noted that both of the attacks on Canadian soldiers in Canada this week came from citizens born in Canada.
Guest
Glen McGregor, national affairs reporter for the Ottawa Citizen, covering government and politics on Parliament Hill. He tweets @glen_mcgregor.