U.S. tightens border security following Ottawa shooting

By Henni Espinosa, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

Oct. 23, 2014

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Canada and the U.S. share the world’s largest international border – about 300,000 people cross it every day.

U.S. authorities are not taking any chances after terror attacks in Canada, so they want to tighten border security.

There are more than 5,500 miles bordering the U.S. and Canada. But according to the Department of Homeland Security, there are currently only 2,200 border patrol agents assigned to it.

Compare that with the U.S./Mexico border, which is much shorter, but has more than 18,000 agents.

The U.S. says tightening the borders is not a response to a particular threat, but a precaution following the attacks in Canada.

Panic ensued after a lone gunman – now identified as Michael Zehalf-Bibeau – open fired at Ottawa’s National War Memorial and on Parliament Hill Wednesday.

A Canadian soldier, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, was shot and killed and four others were injured.

Officials say Bibeau is an Islam convert.

The gunman is dead, killed by Sergeant at Arms Kevin Vickers. Canadian lawmakers honored Vickers with a standing ovation as he walked into the House of Commons.

Authorities are still trying to determine the motive for the deadly attack.

Canadian Parliament members head back to work today, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper promising justice after what he calls a “terrorist act” on Canada’s capital.

“We’re vigilant, but we will not run scared,” said Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada. “We will be prudent, but we will not panic, and as for the business of government, well, here we are in our seats in our chamber in the heart of our democracy, and our work goes on.”

President Barack Obama also expressed solidarity with Canada.

“Obviously we’re all shaken by it,” said President Obama, “but we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that we are standing side by side with Canada during this difficult time.”

Authorities haven’t concluded that there is a connection between the gunman and ISIS. In fact, no group has come forward claiming responsibility for the attack.