Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers is being hailed a hero for fatally shooting a gunman who had killed a Canadian Forces reservist and was on his way to ambush the Parliament building in Ottawa on Wednesday, lawmakers confirmed to ABC News.
Described to be a recent Islamic convert, gunman Michael Zehif-Bibeau had been heading into Parliament Hill with a rifle in hand when 58-year-old Vickers intercepted him before the gunman could have potentially harmed dozens of lawmakers, Reuters reported.
Members of Parliament also credited Vickers for playing a vital role amid the chaos of Wednesday's attack in stopping the attacker just as Zehif-Bibeau was approaching the Parliamentary library in the Hall of Honour, just inside the main entrance to the Parliament's Centre Block, and was a mere 60 feet away from a room full of lawmakers, according to the Toronto Sun.
Vickers, a native of New Brunswick, is a former police officer who had worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for nearly three decades before he joined Canada's House of Commons as the head of security in 2005. After being appointed Sgt. at Arms in 2006, he largely served a ceremonial role by carrying a scepter and wearing rich green robes, white gloves and a tall imperial hat.
But the 58-year-old's training and experience of providing protection for foreign dignitaries and members of the Royal family appears to have come into play exactly when they were needed.
Although officials have not formally credited Vickers for shooting the suspect, legislators and social media have already started to sing praises for the Sergeant-at-Arms, the Associated Press reported.
"MPs and Hill staff owe their safety, even lives, to Sergeant at Arms Kevin Vickers who shot attacker just outside the MPs' caucus rooms," New Democrat MP Craig Scott tweeted.
"Thank God for Sgt. at Arms Kevin Vickers & our Cdn security forces. True heroes." Justice Minister Peter McKay concurred.
"Kevin Vickers is such a fine man. His actions today are no surprise. Proud to call him a friend." Green Party Leader Elizabeth May added.
Vickers' brother, John, who lives in Victoria, British Columbia, told the Toronto Star that he didn't believe his brother ever had to use his service weapon over a 29-year career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
"It doesn't surprise me that when his nation called upon him, he was there," John Vickers told the Star.
"I just couldn't be prouder of him right now," John said, noting that Kevin has "always been committed to service, people and country."
