One person was killed and three others injured in what police described as a "targeted" shooting at a home in the Centretown area of Ottawa shortly before 7:30am local time.

Police responded to reports of “many injuries” at the scene, prompting the Canadian parliament’s security team to issue an "active shooter" warning to its employees.

The incident unfolded on Gilmour Street, and officers tweeted that a “coordinated response” was underway.

One person was confirmed dead at the scene and three others were taken to hospital “in serious condition suffering from gunshot wounds.” Police also said one of the injured was a minor who was taken to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Shooting this morning on our street... worried for my neighbours. pic.twitter.com/yh2eSSwMEF — Kate Headley (@MsCommuniKate) January 8, 2020

Photos of the Gilmour Street shooting scene from our Francis Ferland. #OttNewspic.twitter.com/3DnC6XqrGk — CBC Ottawa (@CBCOttawa) January 8, 2020

As the incident unfolded, the Parliament of Canada Protective Service sent an alert to federal employees warning of an "active shooter" at large.

An investigation into the shooting is underway and, police say, though the shooter remains at large, "this is not considered an active shooter situation" and the area has been secured.

Police told CBC that they believe the shooting was targeted. ​All four victims in the shooting were male.

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Some French Catholic schools in downtown Ottawa were temporarily placed in "safe school mode" in response to the shooting. The CECCE, a network of French-language Catholic schools, said on Twitter that all students and staff were safe and it was decided only as a "preventive measure."

In a statement released before 11am, police said they were "seeking public assistance" and tips to identify and locate the suspect involved in the shooting.

Police told media that they do not have a description of the suspect and that officers are going door-to-door in the area seeking more information.

On Twitter, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thanked police and paramedics for acting so quickly and said his heart "goes out to everyone affected."

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