arliament/ar-BBaMUkV
OTTAWA, Ontario - The standing ovation began even before Sergeant-at-Arms
Kevin Vickers entered the Parliament chamber in his black robe, carrying the
golden ceremonial mace on his right shoulder.
For more than two minutes, the lawmakers applauded and pounded their desks
Thursday for the white-haired former Mountie, hailed as a hero for shooting
the gunman who had stormed Canada's seat of power just a day earlier.
At first expressionless and motionless, the 58-year-old Vickers eventually
responded to the ovation with a few slight nods of his head, his lips
quivering with emotion.
Later in the session, Prime Minster Stephen Harper lauded Vickers.
"I would be very remiss if I did not conclude in acknowledging specifically
the work of the security forces here on Parliament and the great work of our
sergeant-at-arms," he said to more cheers and applause from the members.
Harper then went over to shake Vickers' hand.
"I am very touched by the attention directed at me following yesterday's
events," Vickers said in a statement.
"However, I have the support of a remarkable security team," he added.
"Yesterday, during extraordinary circumstances, security personnel
demonstrated professionalism and courage. I am grateful and proud to be part
of this team."
He said he would have no further immediate comment on the incident while an
investigation unfolded.
The gunman who invaded Parliament, identified as petty criminal Michael
Zehaf-Bibeau, had been seen by witnesses minutes earlier, fatally shooting a
soldier posted at the nearby National War Memorial.
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