( CNN ) -- Canadians feared this day , hoping it would never come but also knowing the odds probably were n'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 . .
Canada : Michael Zehaf - Bibeau was the suspected gunman . Prime Minister Stephen Harper calls the gunman a ` ` terrorist '' ' . Anthony Cirillo , a Canadian soldier , was shot and killed .