In October 2014, a shooting took place on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. It was initiated by Islamic terrorist Michael Zehaf-Bibeau. During the gunfire on Parliament Hill, three people were injured and two were killed, including the terrorist himself. How did those tragic events unfold, and what motivated Michael Zehaf-Bibeau to commit murder? Read on at ottawayes.com.
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau’s Background
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau was born in 1982 in Quebec. His mother held a fairly high-ranking position at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, and his father ran a successful business. The family lived in Quebec and Montreal, and eventually Michael moved to Canada’s capital in search of work.
Although Michael Zehaf-Bibeau was baptized Catholic at birth, he converted to Islam in 2004. In addition, from a very young age, he had frequent run-ins with the law. He was caught for:
- Shoplifting
- Drug possession
- Violating parole
- Possessing a forged credit card
- Driving under the influence, among others
He also threatened people on multiple occasions. Once, he did so deliberately so he would be sent to a hospital, hoping to break free from drug addiction. After undergoing a psychiatric assessment that found him fit to stand trial, he was promptly sentenced.
The Ottawa Attack: A Timeline
Before carrying out the attack, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau was staying at a homeless shelter near the government district in Ottawa. In the three days leading up to the shooting, he seemed extremely agitated, reportedly due to renewed drug use. He shared radical anti-Canadian views with others at the shelter, claiming the world would soon end and praying constantly. He also asked fellow shelter residents about the Canadian Parliament and how easy it might be to get inside. One day before the attack, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau bought a car. His behaviour during registration was so erratic that his application was denied. He got around this by affixing a fake temporary licence document to the car’s window.
On October 22, 2014, early in the morning, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau drove his car to Parliament Hill, stepped out with a rifle, and headed toward the National War Memorial. It remains unclear how he obtained the firearm, as his criminal record would have prevented him from legally acquiring one. Approaching Corporal Nathan Cirillo, who was on duty with the Ceremonial Guard near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau shot him in the back. Two other corporals tried to stop the terrorist, but he opened fire on them and forced them to flee. After killing one of the corporals, Zehaf-Bibeau removed the scarf covering his face and shouted “For Iraq.” Then he got back into his car, drove along Wellington Street, abandoned his vehicle, and stole another one belonging to Crown ministers. Using this government car, the terrorist reached the entrance to the Centre Block. Once inside, he wounded one of the guards. He then moved through the library, a committee room, and a meeting room full of MPs. When Michael Zehaf-Bibeau fired a shot that went through the door, the MPs scrambled for cover.
Ultimately, he was surrounded and shot 31 times, dying at the scene.