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Background
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau was 32 year old man who was homeless and struggled with drug addiction. In the fall of 2014 he decided to travel to the Middle East to study religion. However, when he tried to renew his Libyan passport he was thwarted by the need for a time consuming background check. His Mother wrote after the shooting that "I believe that his passport was refused and that pushed him into action. [...] He was mad and felt trapped so the only way out was death." -
Tour of the Parliament Buildings
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau was part of a public, guided tour of the centre block on October 4th. Free tours of the center block are offered daily and include viewings of the Senate, House of Commons and the Library of Parliament. -
Obtaining a Gun and a Car
On October 21st, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau bought a used 1995 Toyota Corolla. He also found a .30-30 calibre hunting rifle, which the police believe he stole from his aunt's house. -
3) Journey to the Peace Tower
After shooting Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau drove along Wellington St. and ran up the driveway the the Parliament buildings. He then hijacked a limousine and drove it to the Peace Tower. An RCMP officer saw Zehaf-Bibeau hijack the limousine and radioed other police on Parliament hill. She then followed Micheal Zehaf-Bibeau to the Peace Tower. -
1) Making the Video
In the morning of October 22nd, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau made a video of himself criticizing the Canadian government for their actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. -
2) Shooting at the War Memorial
At around 10 a.m. Micheal Zehaf-Bibeau parked his car next to the war monument in downtown Ottawa. He then shot Corpral Nathan Cirillo, a 24 year serving with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, who was on ceremonial guard duty at the war monument. Cirillo was given first aid and transported to the hospital by ambulance, but unfortunately he didn't survive the shooting. -
4) Entrance to the Peace Tower
Once inside the Peace Tower, Zehaf-Bibeau was confronted by Constable Samearn Son. Constable Samearn Son was unarmed and was shot in the leg as they grappled for Zehaf-Bibeau's rifle. After being injured, Constable Samearn Son exited the Peace Tower and told the RCMP officer who had alerted the police forces on the hill that he had been shot by the gunman who entered the Peace Tower. He survived the shooting and became known as a hero. -
5) Hall of Honour
As police forces arrived outside the Parliament buildings, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau ran up a flight of stairs and then down the Hall of Honour (a large hallway that runs the length of the centre block), exchanging gunfire with several guards as he ran. -
6) Politician's Reaction
On October 22nd, over 200 NDP and Conservative members of Parliament were meeting in rooms on either side of the hall of honour. When the Conservative and NDP members of Parliament learned of the intruder they barricaded the doors and prepared to defend themselves. Stephen Harper, who was Prime Minister at the time, was hidden in a closet and then quickly taken to safety by police. -
7) Gun Fight
Outside the committee rooms, RCMP officers and Police officers exchanged gun fire with Michael Zehaf-Bibeau. Even though he was badly injured, he manged to retreat behind a stone column at one end of the hall. -
9) Evacuation and Lock Down
During and after the gunfight was taking place parts of the centre block were being evacuated before the Parliament buildings, as well as a large portion of downtown Ottawa was put on lock down. However by 8:30 p.m. that evening the police determined that Micheal Zehaf-Bibeau was working alone and the lock downs were lifted. . -
8) Final Moments
As Micheal Zehaf-Bibeau fired at the four RCMP officers approaching him, the house of commons sergeant at arms Kevin Vickers, crept around the pillar Zehaf-Bibeau was hiding behind. Micheal Zehaf-Bibeau was killed by a hail of bullets fired by Kevin Vickers and Constable Curtis Barrett, and RCMP officer. -
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Consequences of the Shooting
Because of the lock down on October 22nd, many events were rescheduled, including an NHL game and Malala Yousafzai's honorary Canadian citizenship appointment. The event shook Canadian's faith in their country's safety and security measures. After the shooting Canada increased it's terrorism alert from low to medium. Some security increases on Parliament hill include a new force, controlled by the RCMP, that was created in 2015 and is responsible for security on Parliament hill.
