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Weston recalls terrifying day

OTTAWA SHOOTING
John Weston
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP John Weston recalled the terrifying events of Wednesday, Oct. 22 when a gunman went on a rampage at Parliament Hill.

What should have been a typical day on Parliament Hill Wednesday, Oct. 22 ended in tragedy, uncertainty and lots of unanswered questions.

West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country member of Parliament (MP) John Weston recalled the harrowing events that had him and fellow MPs locked away until the early evening hours.

“It was a typical day. All of the MPs were headed to or already in their different caucus meetings in Centre Block,” Weston said. “The prime minister was getting ready to speak in our room and then we heard these two large blasts and we all reacted and then all we heard was just a hail of gunfire. It was terrifying because you didn’t know what was happening, who might come through the doors. We threw up chairs and barricaded the doors and it was then just a waiting game.”

Weston and his fellow MPs were sequestered and in lockdown until just after 8 p.m. Ottawa time Wednesday night.

Reported shooting suspect Canadian-born Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, started his rampage by fatally shooting Cpl. Nathan Cirillo who was at his sentry post at the National War Memorial Wednesday morning.

Zehaf-Bibeau, then reportedly got into a vehicle, drove closer to Parliament Hill, making his way inside where he was eventually shot and killed by House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, a former RCMP officer.

The downtown core, Parliament Hill and surrounding buildings were locked down for most of the day, as law enforcement investigated two other possible shootings, which later proved to be false and searched for what at the time, was believed to be two other shooters.

“I’m very sad and my thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Nathan Cirillo,” added Weston. “He is an innocent victim. The people who protect us, stand guard for us, make a huge sacrifice for all of us.”

In the days to come, questions will have to be answered as to why the shooting occurred. Did the Zehaf-Bibeau act alone? Was this a terrorist attack and what security measures have to be in place to ensure this never happens again?

“This is a time when we will not back down. We will continue to stand for our country and for all of our citizens,” said Weston. “It only redoubles my resolve to stand up against terror and violence. This is an amazing country in which we live in and I feel especially humbled to live in this country and work in our riding.

“It was a terrifying day. It’s certainly sobering and I recognize people have lived in more terrifying moments, but it gives me more respect for those who protect us and keep peace and order.”