Canada Under Attack

 

On Monday a known-radical ISIS-wannabe killed a Canadian soldier (and wounded another) near Montreal. Today, shots have been fired on the National Parliament building in Ottawa.

 

Two attacks in three days. It’s not a coincidence.

Updates to come.

In the CTV livestream above, moments ago, a barrage of gunshots. (Update, It was film from earlier. I don’t think there is an active shooter any more.)

A Globe and Mail reporter said he saw “a body.” The Sargent-at-Arms of the Parliament killed “an assailant.” A Canadian soldier standing guard at the National War Memorial was shot.

Update: Ottawa police report three different shooting incidents: at the Parliament, and the National War Memorial, and at the Rideau Center.

Update: Reports that at least one gunman was “dressed in black with long black hair.”

Update: I just heard Shep Smith report that the soldier who was shot at the National Memorial has died.

Update: There was not, in fact, a shooting at the Rideau Center. There were 911 calls about shoots fired there, though, so that is why it was being reported in the media.

UPDATE 7:38PM

Bill Curry of The Globe and Mail just report live on On The Record that the police/authorities in Ottawa have just increased security within the past 20 minutes (since 7PM EST.

Published in General
Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 31 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. Mike H Inactive
    Mike H
    @MikeH

    Collectivizing a localized crime based on the mental thought process of the assailant comes off as hyperbolic.

    • #1
  2. Albert Arthur Coolidge
    Albert Arthur
    @AlbertArthur

    Mike H:Collectivizing a localized crime based on the mental thought process of the assailant comes off as hyperbolic.

    We’ll see.

    • #2
  3. Tuck Inactive
    Tuck
    @Tuck

    So let’s assume it is ISIS/al-Qaeda (a distinction without a difference, IMHO).

    What idiots.  Really?  Attack Canada?  Attack America and most of the rest of the world will nod, “We understand”.

    Attack Canada, the most inoffensive, innocuous country, and you really do declare that you are at war with everyone.

    Not too bright from a PR or strategic perspective.

    • #3
  4. She Member
    She
    @She

    Mike H:Collectivizing a localized crime based on the mental thought process of the assailant comes off as hyperbolic.

    Other than using the thought process of the assailant(s) as a guide, how would you suggest that we analyze crimes, local, or not?

    • #4
  5. danys Thatcher
    danys
    @danys

    Global News, http://globalnews.ca/news/1626941/canadas-domestic-terrorism-threat-quietly-elevated-for-first-time-in-4-years/ *, is reporting that Canada raised its terrorism level on Friday, 10/17/14.

    In September, the National Post reported that ISIS is urging attacks on Canada. http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/09/21/isis-urges-jihadists-to-attack-canadians-you-will-not-feel-secure-in-your-bedrooms/?__federated=1 *

    While it’s too early to know who is behind these attacks, thinking about terrorism isn’t unreasonable.

    *Insert/edit link tool doesn’t seem to be working properly for me. Apologies.

    • #5
  6. Mike H Inactive
    Mike H
    @MikeH

    She:

    Mike H:Collectivizing a localized crime based on the mental thought process of the assailant comes off as hyperbolic.

    Other than using the thought process of the assailant(s) as a guide, how would you suggest that we analyze crimes, local, or not?

    A local attack by one crazy individual who has sympathies to some terrorist organization on the other side of the world is not an attack on the whole country.

    • #6
  7. Albert Arthur Coolidge
    Albert Arthur
    @AlbertArthur

    A Canadian soldier was shot at the NATIONAL War Memorial. The gunman then enter the NATIONAL parliament building. Parliament was in session. I think this is an attack on Canada.

    • #7
  8. Mike H Inactive
    Mike H
    @MikeH

    Albert Arthur:A Canadian soldier was shot at the NATIONAL War Memorial. The gunman then enter the NATIONAL parliament building. Parliament was in session. I think this is an attack on Canada.

    You could just as easily replace that with the word magical, because that’s the effect it has.

    • #8
  9. Valiuth Member
    Valiuth
    @Valiuth

    Wait do we actually know the motivations of the shooter or even who they are. I just read about this but the piece was very light on details. It could just be a regular crazy person (not that that makes it any better for the poor victim). But, again what do we actually know. News reporters always love to speculate. It also mentioned there was another shooting in a mall not too far from the War Memorial. Is that true? Any indication they are connected?

    • #9
  10. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    Canada is treating this as terrorism.  The shooters were reported as wearing black with bandannas covering their faces.

    Malala Yousafzai was due to get Canadian citizenship today from PM Harper. She is the 17-year-old Pakistani woman speaking out on female education in Pakistan.

    It could be a coincidence, and first reports are notoriously inaccurate.  Safe to say, Canada does not believe this is an example of “workplace violence.”

    Seawriter

    • #10
  11. Albert Arthur Coolidge
    Albert Arthur
    @AlbertArthur

    Valiuth:Wait do we actually know the motivations of the shooter or even who they are. I just read about this but the piece was very light on details. It could just be a regular crazy person (not that that makes it any better for the poor victim). But, again what do we actually know. News reporters always love to speculate. It also mentioned there was another shooting in a mall not too far from the War Memorial. Is that true? Any indication they are connected?

    Canada raised their threat level last Friday.

    http://globalnews.ca/news/1626941/canadas-domestic-terrorism-threat-quietly-elevated-for-first-time-in-4-years/

    • #11
  12. virgil15marlow@yahoo.com Coolidge
    virgil15marlow@yahoo.com
    @Manny

    I bet Stephan Harper, the Canadian Prime Minister, won’t call this work place violence.  He’ll call it for what it is: Islamic terrorism.  My prayers for the soldier and his family.

    • #12
  13. Misthiocracy Member
    Misthiocracy
    @Misthiocracy

    I’m still stuck in lockdown at work. No clue when the RCMP are going to let us go home.

    • #13
  14. Tom Meyer Member
    Tom Meyer
    @tommeyer

    Misthiocracy:I’m still stuck in lockdown at work. No clue when the RCMP are going to let us go home.

    Hang in there.

    If you feel up to writing something about it, let us know.

    • #14
  15. She Member
    She
    @She

    Mike H:

    Albert Arthur:A Canadian soldier was shot at the NATIONAL War Memorial. The gunman then enter the NATIONAL parliament building. Parliament was in session. I think this is an attack on Canada.

    You could just as easily replace that with the word magical, because that’s the effect it has.

    Yes, it’s a sad fact that, as the country marches leftward, precision of language has gone the way of the dodo bird, and many words or phrases no longer have the meaning or effect that you might expect.

    At the moment, the phrase “recent convert to Islam” seems to be one of those.  Like the ‘recent convert to Islam’ who beheaded that poor woman in Oklahoma.  Or the ‘recent convert to Islam’ who drove his car into two Canadian soldiers yesterday, in Montreal, killing one, before he himself was shot by police.

    Just another of life’s little co-inky-dinks, I guess.  Nothing to see here.  Move along.

    I like the idea of a Magical Anthem, though.

    • #15
  16. Mr. Dart Inactive
    Mr. Dart
    @MrDart

    Tuck:So let’s assume it is ISIS/al-Qaeda (a distinction without a difference, IMHO).

    What idiots. Really? Attack Canada? Attack America and most of the rest of the world will nod, “We understand”.

    Attack Canada, the most inoffensive, innocuous country, and you really do declare that you are at war with everyone.

    Not too bright from a PR or strategic perspective.

    Ottawa is a far softer target than Washington DC.  Attacking the Ottawa War Memorial is like shooting to death the honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington and, no doubt, somewhat easier for a coward to pull off.

    Given that Canada declared war on ISIS this month I doubt radical Islam sees the nation as inoffensive.  In any event, attacking Canada has a knock-on effect in the US at less risk.  See the stock exchange reaction today in NYC.

    • #16
  17. Tuck Inactive
    Tuck
    @Tuck

    Mr. Dart: See the stock exchange reaction today in NYC.

    U.S. Stocks Decline, Dollar Gains Amid Inflation Data

    “…The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.7 percent at 4 p.m. in New York after its biggest rally in a year yesterday….”

    “…Canadian (SPTSX) stocks tumbled 1.6 percent, the most since June 2013, for the first retreat in five days, as the downtown core in Ottawa remained in lockdown as police investigate “multiple suspects” and the central bank said the economy won’t reach full output until the second half of 2016. Energy and materials producers led declines as oil and metals prices tumbled….”

    • #17
  18. Albert Arthur Coolidge
    Albert Arthur
    @AlbertArthur

    Misthiocracy:I’m still stuck in lockdown at work. No clue when the RCMP are going to let us go home.

    Well, the good news is the terrorist missed his target! You can’t take a Ricochetti down that easily.

    • #18
  19. Misthiocracy Member
    Misthiocracy
    @Misthiocracy

    I don’t know anything more than what’s on the news. Sorry.

    • #19
  20. user_519396 Member
    user_519396
    @

    Not so crazy to go after allied countries. Al Qaeda was able to knock Spain out of the Iraq coalition with a coordinated series of train bombings three days before a national election.

    • #20
  21. Roberto Inactive
    Roberto
    @Roberto

    danys:While it’s too early to know who is behind these attacks, thinking about terrorism isn’t unreasonable.

    Concerning the vehicular assault which killed the solider the motivation does seem fairly clear.

    Police in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada, shot and killed a 25-year-old Quebec man Oct. 20 after he intentionally ran over two Canadian soldiers with his car and led police on a high-speed chase. During the chase, the suspect, Martin Rouleau, reportedly called the authorities and told the dispatcher he was “acting in the name of Allah.”…

    …Rouleau’s vehicle attack is very similar to a tactic al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula advocated in the second edition of Inspire magazine, where grassroots jihadists were told to run over victims with a large pick-up truck. Islamic State spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani also called on jihadists to use vehicles and other simple modes of attack in a statement released on Sept. 21

    • #21
  22. Albert Arthur Coolidge
    Albert Arthur
    @AlbertArthur

    Special Report with Bret Baier just reported that the gunman, Michael Abdul Zehaf-Bibeau, born Michael Joseph Hall, had recently had his passport seized by Canadian authorities because he was considered a “high-risk traveler.”

    But, you know, let’s not jump to any conclusions. He might have been upset about Obamacare.

    • #22
  23. user_199279 Coolidge
    user_199279
    @ChrisCampion

    I’m in Vermont, all of about an hour away from St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu.  Driven through there many times.

    I’ll be happy to drive over any jihadis next time I’m north of the border, though, as a sign of solidarity.

    • #23
  24. Albert Arthur Coolidge
    Albert Arthur
    @AlbertArthur

    Fox News has video footage of someone jumping the White House fence this evening. The Secret Service apprehended him quickly, and it appears dogs were used because Kimberly Guilfoyle just said that the jumper kicked a dog before being taken down. The video is dark, but the person is clearly wearing a white robe-like garment over pants.

    • #24
  25. Albert Arthur Coolidge
    Albert Arthur
    @AlbertArthur

    Albert Arthur:Fox News has video footage of someone jumping the White House fence this evening. The Secret Service apprehended him quickly, and it appears dogs were used because Kimberly Guilfoyle just said that the jumper kicked a dog before being taken down. The video is dark, but the person is clearly wearing a white robe-like garment over pants.

    People on twitter are saying he was wearing baggy gym shorts, so you shouldn’t trust my eyes.

    • #25
  26. She Member
    She
    @She

    Albert Arthur:Special Report with Bret Baier just reported that the gunman, Michael Abdul Zehaf-Bibeau, born Michael Joseph Hall, had recently had his passport seized by Canadian authorities because he was considered a “high-risk traveler.”

    But, you know, let’s not jump to any conclusions. He might have been upset about Obamacare.

    So.  Apparently this “Michael Joseph Hall” is a ‘recent convert to Islam.”

    But for clarity’s sake, every time you see the phrase, “recent convert to Islam,” please remember that what it actually means is “a person of no particular religious affiliation.”

    Otherwise, you’re just a hysterical nutball.

    OK?

    • #26
  27. user_656019 Coolidge
    user_656019
    @RayKujawa

    Chris Campion:I’m in Vermont, all of about an hour away from St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu. Driven through there many times.

    I’ll be happy to drive over any jihadis next time I’m north of the border, though, as a sign of solidarity.

    Unfortunately they don’t wear a uniform. They prefer to hide in plain sight amongst other soft targets.

    And while we all jokingly say things like that, the religions that most of us practice in America don’t give us a commandment to murder those of other faiths. That is often confused with cowardice. It’s actually a sign of confidence of our spiritual dispositions. It indicates that we recognize the sanctity of another human’s life because we know where it came from and who created it. We do not murder. We will kill in self defense. Most people do not get the distinction between killing and murder in Exodus 20:13.

    • #27
  28. danys Thatcher
    danys
    @danys

    Roberto:

    danys:While it’s too early to know who is behind these attacks, thinking about terrorism isn’t unreasonable.

    Concerning the vehicular assault which killed the solider the motivation does seem fairly clear.

    Police in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada, shot and killed a 25-year-old Quebec man Oct. 20 after he intentionally ran over two Canadian soldiers with his car and led police on a high-speed chase. During the chase, the suspect, Martin Rouleau, reportedly called the authorities and told the dispatcher he was “acting in the name of Allah.”…

    …Rouleau’s vehicle attack is very similar to a tactic al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula advocated in the second edition of Inspire magazine, where grassroots jihadists were told to run over victims with a large pick-up truck. Islamic State spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani also called on jihadists to use vehicles and other simple modes of attack in a statement released on Sept. 21

    Agreed. Of course more is now known about today’s attack, too.

    • #28
  29. EThompson Member
    EThompson
    @

    My empathy to our North American allies and thanks that you have the great good fortune for Stephen Harper to see you through this. He and George W were quite close. I no longer care one whit for protocol; I hope those two are communicating closely right now.

    • #29
  30. Misthiocracy Member
    Misthiocracy
    @Misthiocracy

    deleted comment.  decided to post a new article instead.

    • #30
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.