Conservative MPs were holding their weekly caucus meeting when a gunman opened fire at the National War Memorial and then moved to nearby Parliament Hill.
Barrie MP Patrick Brown and Parry Sound – Muskoka MP Tony Clement were inside Parliament Hill when it all took place.
In a phone interview with CTV Barrie, Patrick Brown said the gunshots interrupted the caucus meeting and they quickly took action.
“I was in the caucus meeting with the Prime Minister going over our affairs of the week and we heard gunshots and numerous gunshots so we moved chairs to secure the room and locked all the doors and waited for news and then a RCMP officer came in and liaison with us on what was happening.”
Brown said once they heard the gunman had been taken down, the Prime Minister was moved and the remaining MPs were being held in the room until they were given clearance to leave.
Clement tweeted that at least 30 shots were heard inside the building.
Shots fired during caucus meeting. at least 30 shots. MPs piled out. I'm safe with 2 colleagues but we're still at risk...
— Tony Clement (@TonyclementCPC) October 22, 2014
Still patiently awaiting rescue here in Centre Block. I feared this day would come, and my prayers are with the fallen soldier. Hug your fam
— Tony Clement (@TonyclementCPC) October 22, 2014
The NDP caucus were also taken out of the builidng along with the Liberal Senate caucus.
Two sources told The Canadian Press that Kevin Vickers, the sergeant-at-arms for the House of Commons, shot an assailant.
The incident comes just two days after two Canadian soldiers were run over -- and one of them killed -- in Quebec by a man with jihadist sympathies.
Keep checking with barrie.ctvnews.ca for the very latest.
With files from the Canadian Press
