Canadian parliament in lockdown after soldier is shot at nearby war memorial

The Canadian parliament in Ottawa has been placed on lockdown after a soldier was shot at a nearby war memorial, according to police reports.

Additional reports suggest that shots have also been heard inside the parliament building, where a SWAT squad has now been deployed.

The war memorial has been sealed off as a crime scene, while the man believed to be the shooter was seen running towards Parliament Hill following the shooting.

Josh Wingrove, a political reporter for The Globe and Mail, tweeting from inside the House of Commons building, said he "saw one motionless body outside the library of parliament" and heard dozens of shots from Parliament Hill.

Canadian police are warning residents of Ottawa to stay away from windows and roofs after the shooting.