Unarmed Hill security were the true heroes on Oct. 22, 2014, says Heather Bradley, who speaks publicly about that awful day for the first time

On Oct. 22, 2014, the first person in security who came face-to-face with gunman Michael Zehaf-Bibeau was Const. Samearn Son who stood at his post at the base of the stairs inside the front doors of Parliament. Son, unarmed, lunged towards Zehaf-Bibeau, stopping him long enough to shout 'gun, gun, gun.' This warning gave MPs, staff, and the media milling about at the top of the stairs time to run and hide.

Police officers stand with weapons drawn downtown on Oct. 22, 2014, with the Parliament Buildings in the background. Most think the House of Commons security screwed up that day, but I know that they saved us, writes Heather Bradley.The Hill Times photograph by Mark Burgess

Opinion

BY HEATHER BRADLEY

October 22, 2024

OTTAWA—I have thought about Oct. 22, 2014, almost every day since the Parliament Hill shooting. It is cemented into my memory not for the reasons most might think, but because of my gratitude to those whose bravery saved so many lives.

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