Vancouver reacts to Ottawa shootings, local security increased

In the wake of the shootings in Ottawa Wednesday morning, Vancouver’s politicians are making public statements in response, and there are increased safety measures already in place in high-profile places locally.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has tweeted about the ongoing incident:

Shocking news from the capital. Vancouver’s thoughts + prayers are with Ottawa, + with families of Canadian soldiers attacked this week

— Gregor Robertson (@MayorGregor) October 22, 2014

 

At least one of the shooters appears to have been targeting the MP caucus rooms at the Parliament. Peter Julian, the New Democrat MP for Burnaby-New Westminster, told CTV Vancouver what he experienced during his party’s caucus meeting this morning:

“The shooter was obviously 20 feet away, and a security guard came in and helped us secure the doors and basically told us to take cover,” he said. “We spent some anxious moments because the shooting was still going on outside the caucus room.”

 

Joyce Murray, the Liberal MP from Vancouver Quadra, was among those inside the caucus room and posted a Tweet:

So sad to hear the soldier has died – here behind locked doors we have been worrying about the safety and wellbeing of those protecting us..

— Joyce Murray 梅麗喬 (@joycemurray) October 22, 2014

 

Don Davies, the NDP MP from Vancouver Kingsway was also present:

Heard 10 gunshots outside our Caucus room…hope everyone is safe…

— Don Davies, MP (@DonDavies) October 22, 2014

 

Being evacuated from Centre Block – smell gunpowder in hallways

— Don Davies, MP (@DonDavies) October 22, 2014

 

Wai Young is the Conservative MP from Vancouver South:

Shocking morning in #Ottawa. I am ok. Staff are ok. Thoughts and prayers with our first responders right now.

— Wai Young, MP (@WaiYoung) October 22, 2014

 

B.C.’s Nina Grewal, the Conservative MP from Fleetwood-Port Kells, Tweeted a powerful image showing chairs piled up at the doors from inside the caucus room:

Here’s the photo from MP Nina Grewal from inside caucus earlier today (via @nishapatel) #OttawaShooting pic.twitter.com/kkJ8ip6jZ8

— Steven D’Souza (@cbcsteve) October 22, 2014

 

Vancouver International Airport has already stepped up safety measures at the facility:

Our thoughts are with those in Ottawa. Together with our partners we’ve increased security vigilance at YVR.

— Vancouver Airport (@yvrairport) October 22, 2014

 

A similar stance has been proclaimed by B.C.’s Transit Police:

In light of what’s happening in Ottawa, Transit Police is taking extra security precautions to maintain the safety of transit for all^vd

— Transit Police BC (@TransitPolice) October 22, 2014

 

Provincially, the B.C. Legislature has been closed to the public today, and the flag there has been lowered to half-mast in honour of the Canadian soldier who was fatally shot by one of the gunmen.

Flag lowered to half-mast at #bcleg to mark death of soldier in #Ottawa. pic.twitter.com/tDX2e6k15D

— Sean Leslie (@seanleslie980) October 22, 2014

 

BC Premier Christy Clark Tweeted earlier this morning about the terrible events in Ottawa:

BC stands with all of Canada against the violence in Ottawa, and with the brave men and women keeping our capital safe.

— Christy Clark (@christyclarkbc) October 22, 2014

 

Victoria’s John Vickers spoke to CKNW’s Shane Woodford about his brother, Kevin Vickers, who is the Sargeant-at-Arms who reportedly shot and killed one of the gunmen at the Parliament.