Ottawa Shooting: MP Alexandre Boulerice describes 'frightening' lockdown

AlexandreBoulerice was in an NDP caucus meeting when he heard the shots.

"We heard a few shots at the beginning and everyone was looking at each other saying, Maybe its only renovations' ...but after three or four shots, it was quite clear there was an attack," theMP forRosemont-LaPetite-Patrie told CBC Montreal's Homerun.

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He said those in the roomhad gotten up to leave when security guards told them to stay where they were.

"Security guards came in and said, 'No, you cannot leave the place.Its not safe.Go under the tables.'They were guarding the three doors and locking them. After that, we heard maybe twoor threeother shots, and after that it was silence."

Boulericesays MPs wereunaware of what was happening, but it was clear something was wrong.

"It was quite frightening. I have to say, it was surreal. Like living in an action movie.

"Now we know the guy was alone here in centre block. But when you hear 20 to25 shots, you think, 'How many are they? What'shappeningon the other side of the door? Are the guards winning this battle or not?' So many of usthought,OK, this might be the last day of my life."

Boulericesaid he hid under a table, holding on to his colleagueMarjolaineBoutin-Sweet, MP forHochelaga. Soon, theMPswere moved to a secure room.

'I remember the first text message I was trying to write, it was very difficult because my fingers were shaking.- Alexandre Boulerice, NDP MP

Boulerice saidhe could smell gun powder.

"There was some running and people were in shock after that.Some cried, of course. I remember the first text message I was trying to write, it was very difficult because my fingers were shaking."

MPs who were in the building when the shooting started have been inlockdown since this morning.

Boulerice said they have access to cell phones and televisionsand aware of what's going on.

He said the caucus's thoughts are with the families and friends of the victim, Cpl.Nathan Cirillo, a reservist from Hamilton.

"My thoughts are with the family of this military man who was killed today. Its really too sad and tragic."

Homerun0:01NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice shares his harrowing account

Alexandre Boulerice describes the panic of being trapped in a Parliament building as a shooter roamed the halls

Irwin Cotlercalls shooting'unprecedented act'

Liberal MP Irwin Cotler, MP for Mount Royal, was walking to his caucus meeting when a security guard stopped him.

"[He] said to me, Mr.Cotler, you cant go any further. I said, 'I have a caucus meeting starting.' He said, 'No, the building is now under lockdown and everybody is being evacuated so you better go back to your office and dont leave.' And thats exactly what I did."

He's also been locked down in his office, where he says he is trying to do work. But he says he's shaken by the attack on parliament.

"I thinkthere is a sense of concern that this is an unprecedented act. I dont recall in all my 15 years as a Member of Parliament any shootings within parliament.