Before we get to the hockey game, I’d like to focus on the more important news.
At 9:52 a.m. ET this morning, there was a shooting that took place at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Ontario.
Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, a soldier in uniform at the War Memorial, was shot down by a currently unknown gunman. The gunman then fled to the Parliament Buildings where he was reportedly shot and killed by Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers in the centre block of the buildings. One officer was shot in the leg and is now recovering in an Ottawa hospital.
Cpl. Cirillo was given CPR at the scene, but sadly passed away in hospital around 1:00 p.m this afternoon. He was a reservist serving in Hamilton from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada. All this week, members of the Argylls have been standing guard by the War Memorial.
It’s possible that there could be two other gunmen acquainted with the first shooter, but at this time, police are still investigating.
There were also reports about another shooting at the Rideau Centre, but they were later retracted because of misinformation.
UPDATE: This morning’s shooting incidents occurred at the National War Memorial and on Parliament Hill. Not Rideau Centre. #ottnews
— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) October 22, 2014
Four patients were admitted to an Ottawa hospital, three of them in stable condition.
Now to the less important news.
The Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs were supposed to play a game in the Nation’s Capital tonight, but understandably, the NHL has cancelled the event.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/524975023917105154
The Maple Leafs players, who were locked inside their hotel for the entire day, will head home to Toronto and prepare for their Saturday night opponents, the Boston Bruins. The Senators, on the other hand, will try to regroup and stay composed for their own Saturday night meeting against the New Jersey Devils.
It’s not the first time that the Senators have been close to a tragedy of this proportion. At the time of the Boston Marathon bombings, Ottawa was in town for a meeting with the Bruins which also ended up being rescheduled under the circumstances.
As they did in Boston, things will be changing in the city of Ottawa for the next little while. Security in all public buildings will increase, and you can bet that the Canadian Tire Centre will also be taking extra precaution with fans entering the building.
Remember, if you have any information at all, please contact your local authorities. Our thoughts are with the people in Ottawa and the families of the victims.
Be safe and stay with your loved ones. Tomorrow, Ottawa will emerge stronger than ever.