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OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Canada's parliament is showing its gratitude to its sergeant-at-arms, Kevin Vickers, who is credited with stopping yesterday's shooting attack inside parliament by shooting the attacker just outside the caucus rooms of the lawmakers.
Members of Parliament gave Vickers a rousing standing ovation for saving their lives as Parliament resumed this morning. As Vickers walked into the House of Commons, his lips quivered in emotion, and he acknowledged the lengthy ovation.
Vickers serves a largely ceremonial role at the House of Commons, carrying a mace and wearing green robes, white gloves and a tall imperial hat.
Police now believe that Michael Zehaf-Bibeau (zeh-HAHF' bih-BOH'), who was killed in the exchange of fire at the Parliament, was the lone gunman in yesterday's attack.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today urged members of Parliament to seek medical help if they are suffering stress from the attack.
In an uncharacteristically personal speech, Harper said, "Here we are in our seats, in our chamber in the very heart of our democracy, at work." He said, "We will not be intimidated."
He noted that both of the attacks on Canadian soldiers in Canada this week came from citizens born in Canada.
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045-a-16-(Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in televised remarks Wednesday)-"here at home"-Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Canada will stand firm against terrorism. COURTESY: CTV ((mandatory on-air credit)) (23 Oct 2014)
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044-a-14-(Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in televised remarks Wednesday)-"around the world"-Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper says this week's attacks are a wakeup call for Canada. COURTESY: CTV ((mandatory on-air credit)) (23 Oct 2014)
<<CUT *044 (10/23/14)££ 00:14 "around the world"
APPHOTO SKP207: House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers carries the mace during the Speakers Parade on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014. Applause from all sides of the House rained down on Vickers as he entered the legislative chamber. Vickers was among those who opened fire on Michael Zehaf Bibeau, who stormed Parliament Hill on Wednesday. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick) (23 Oct 2014)
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APPHOTO SKP217: Prime Minister Stephen Harper hugs the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada Justin Trudeau, as Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, right, looks on in the House of Commons on Thursday Oct. 23, 2014 in Ottawa. he House of Commons is back in action, kicked off by an exhilarating show of support for Vickers, who was among those who opened fire on Michael Zehaf Bibeau, who stormed Parliament Hill on Wednesday. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick) (23 Oct 2014)
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