Heavy presence of Ottawa Capital Police at a high school in downtown, and people are asked to shelter in place in the adjacent city hall.

At least eight police cars were seen outside Lisgar School before noon on Wednesday, and police officers carrying carbine rifles stood outside the school.

Students were prevented from entering the school and were asked to go to the nearby city hall building.
 

On the other hand, a spokesperson for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board said Lisgar School is in a safe "response to a security issue."

Darcy Noll said in an email: "Police have been notified and are present in our school. No one was injured."

Adding, "During safe school safety procedures, the school's exterior doors are closed, hallways are cleared, and students remain inside their classrooms.

Explaining that more information will be shared with Lisgar parents later on Wednesday.

On the other hand, a sign on the doors of Ottawa City Hall at the Lisgar Street entrance directed people to shelter in place, and members of the public were prevented from entering.

The sign read, "Due to an external or atmospheric environmental hazard, remaining in place is advised."

The sign also clarified that "leaving this facility is undesirable."

For his part, an employee of the Planning and Housing Committee at Ottawa City Hall said there is an ongoing incident at the nearby school.

Kaitlin Salter-MacDonald, Director of Council and Committee Services, said: "Staff and council members have been informed that due to an ongoing incident at Lisgar Collegiate, the city is in a safe facility state."

Explaining, "This means that entrance and exit from the facility is strongly discouraged, and Ottawa Police are currently on site."

Adding, "At this time, the doors of city hall are closed, so if anyone is listening and planning to attend in person, we encourage you not to come and to follow meetings virtually."

Ottawa Police confirmed that a police operation is underway and asked people to avoid the area.

A spokesperson for the City of Ottawa said they will return with more details to the media in Ottawa later.