Canadian parliament on lockdown as police deal with barricaded man: ‘Lock all doors and hide’

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The East Block of Parliament Hill in the Canadian capital of Ottawa was placed on lockdown as police arrived at the scene to deal with a man barricaded in the building on Saturday.

“Officers are on scene at Parliament Hill for a barricaded man in the area of East block,” Ottawa Police said on X at 4.50 p.m. E.T. “There is a large police presence in the area. East block has been evacuated. There are no known injuries and police continue to deal with an individual in this ongoing incident that began just before 3 p.m.”

Police announced at 10.39 p.m. that the incident had come to a peaceful end.

“The barricaded man call at East Block has ended without incident,” Ottawa police said on X. “One man is in custody. The @ottawapolice criminal investigation is ongoing and an update will be provided in the morning. We thank the public for its cooperation.”

open image in gallery A police officer secures the perimeter of Canada's Parliament after declaring a lockdown, in Ottawa ( REUTERS )

Earlier on Saturday, the Parliamentary Protective Service issued an emergency alert, urging people to “seek shelter in the nearest room, close and lock all doors and hide,” according to the National Post.

Those not in the area were told to “stay away until further notice.”

At least a dozen vehicles from the Parliamentary Protective Service and Ottawa Police surrounded the East Block, and access to the area was closed, including to pass holders, the Post reported.

The paper also noted that a bomb squad was brought in as part of the law enforcement operation. Police shut down a part of Wellington Street in front of Parliament.

Police also employed a robot to handle the situation, and a large police vehicle entered through the roadblock during the incident, according to CBC.

open image in gallery Police secure the perimeter of Canada's Parliament ( REUTERS )

“Do not travel to locations under lockdown,” the alert added. “Wait for further instructions from first responders.”

Mercedes Stephenson of Global News wrote on X as the incident was in its early stages: “Law enforcement source says the situation is contained and the breadth of lockdown is because every situation must be treated as potential worst case scenario to keep things secure.”

open image in gallery Canadian Parliamentary Protective Service officers outside the parliament building. A man was later taken into custody ( REUTERS )

The offices of senators and their staff are located in the East Block. Because of the upcoming federal election in Canada, Parliament is currently dissolved, and there has been little activity in the area.