OTTAWA - The security chief at Canada's national parliament was hailed a hero Thursday, credited with shooting a gunman who was on the loose in the building after earlier killing a soldier. Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers was given huge and sustained applause as lawmakers returned to business. The 58-year-old killed the suspect and then returned to guard lawmakers from possible other suspects, said Member of Parliament Paul Dewar. 'He provided enormous comfort and security,' Dewar said.
Law enforcement officials have not officially confirmed Vickers killed the assailant, but his brother paid tribute to the role of the 58-year-old in the operation. 'He always put his nation and his community first and foremost,' his brother, John Vickers, said. 'We're just tremendously relieved he's OK and very, very proud of him and what he had to endure today.'
Toronto lawmaker Craig Scott was among several to post messages of thanks on Twitter. 'MPs and Hill staff owe their safety, even lives, to Sergeant at Arms Kevin Vickers who shot attacker just outside the MPs' caucus rooms,' he said. Vickers' brother said he had previously served 28-years in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and had 'a very exemplary career.' Two sources told CBC News that Vickers shot dead the gunman inside the House of Commons' Hall of Honor.
IN-DEPTH
SOCIAL - Alexander Smith, Alastair Jamieson and Justin Lang
First published October 23 2014, 7:07 AM
Entities 0 Name: Vickers Count: 3 1 Name: Kevin Vickers Count: 2 2 Name: Canada Count: 1 3 Name: Parliament Paul Dewar Count: 1 4 Name: John Vickers Count: 1 5 Name: Alastair Jamieson Count: 1 6 Name: Royal Canadian Mounted Police Count: 1 7 Name: OTTAWA Count: 1 8 Name: Toronto Count: 1 9 Name: Hill Count: 1 10 Name: Craig Scott Count: 1 11 Name: CBC News Count: 1 12 Name: Dewar Count: 1 13 Name: Alexander Smith Count: 1 14 Name: House of Commons Count: 1 15 Name: Justin Lang First Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1FHcT75 Title: Canadians laud sergeant-at-arms for taking down attacker Description: At least 30 shots are fired inside the main building of Canada's Parliament Hill, after a gunman shot and wounded a soldier at the Canadian War Memorial in Ottawa. Jillian Kitchener reports.
