A 31-year-old man from Ottawa has been charged with multiple offences following a tense incident on Parliament Hill that led to the evacuation and lockdown of East Block on Saturday afternoon, according to the Ottawa Police Service.
At approximately 2:40 p.m. on April 5, the man reportedly entered East Block, one of the main parliamentary buildings in downtown Ottawa, and began issuing threats to individuals inside. The building is home primarily to senators and their staff offices.
Authorities from the Parliamentary Protective Service and Ottawa Police swiftly responded, isolating the suspect in a security screening area while evacuating the building. A shelter-in-place warning was issued instructing occupants to lock doors, seek shelter, and remain hidden until the area was secure.
The suspect surrendered peacefully after hours of negotiation, and no injuries were reported. No weapons, explosives, or hazardous materials were discovered during the incident. However, several suspicious packages found in the area were searched and cleared by bomb disposal teams.
In a statement released Sunday, police confirmed the suspect has been charged with:
- Two counts of breach of probation
- One count of public mischief
- One count of uttering threats to cause property damage
The individual’s identity has not been released at this time. He was scheduled to appear in court later Sunday.
The incident prompted a major security lockdown of the surrounding area, including a closure of Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill. The exclusion zone was later expanded to Sparks Street, one block south.
Inspector Mark Bouwmeester of the Ottawa Police Service described the situation as “suspicious” but offered limited details during a Saturday evening press briefing. The Parliamentary Precinct has been notably quiet in recent weeks due to the ongoing federal election campaign, with fewer MPs and staff present in Ottawa.
The Ottawa Police Service and federal security agencies continue to investigate the incident. Authorities have not indicated whether the suspect’s actions were politically motivated.