Muslim Convert Kills Soldier in Canadian Parliament Shooting, Church Leaders Respond

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Oct 23, 2014

Muslim Convert Kills Soldier in Canadian Parliament Shooting, Church Leaders Respond

A Muslim convert fatally shot a Canadian soldier on Wednesday (Oct. 22). The soldier, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, 24, was shot in the abdomen at the National War Memorial in Ottawa; he died later after being transported to a hospital. 

Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, the shooter recently converted to Islam and had been designated a high-risk traveler; the Canadian government had confiscated his passport. Zahaf-Bibeau was fatally shot upon entering the Parliament building. 

Authorities believe two others were working with Zehaf-Bibeau, but have not released names of suspects. 

Canadian church leaders have responded to the tragedy with a call for prayer

"With all Canadians my heart is very heavy with the news of the killing of a Canadian soldier, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, while on honour guard duty at the National War Memorial in Ottawa today," said the Most Rev Fred Hiltz, Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.

President of Lutheran Church-Canada Robert Bugbee said, "I call on our churches around the nation to lift up the situation in Ottawa in prayer. May God grant courage to the people of Canada in this difficult time, and may the love of Christ be a source of comfort to us all."

Publication date: October 23, 2014



Muslim Convert Kills Soldier in Canadian Parliament Shooting, Church Leaders Respond