(CNN) -- Canadians feared this day, hoping it would never come but also knowing the odds probably weren't in their favor either. Not in this era of senseless gun violence, home-grown jihadists, and terrorist organizations with international reach. On Wednesday, a gunman opened fire in the heart of the Canadian capital, shattering a nation's sense of security. Questions galore: What prompted the attack? Is there a link to terrorism? Whatever the answers, one thing is clear: As one resident put it, "Canada lost its innocence today." This is how it unfolded. .
Sources: Michael Zehaf-Bibeau was the suspected gunman . Prime Minister Stephen Harper calls the gunman a "terrorist" Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, a Canadian soldier, was shot and killed .