Ottawa

An RCMP officer is dead following a self-inflicted gunshot wound Thursday morning.



Const. Jean-Pascal Nolin, a 10-year veteran of the force, reportedly parked his cruiser at the Metcalfe Street side entrance to the Thomas D’Arcy McGee building, between Sparks and Queen streets, then walked in to the offices of the force’s A Division Parliament Hill detachment, located in the building, and shot himself.



Following the incident, which occurred at about 9 a.m., Ottawa police closed off the street, citing a “medical emergency” but offering no other information.



At least a half dozen police cars descended on the area, and Ottawa police Chief Charles Bordeleau arrived at the scene, but did not address the media. Ottawa Police Services is handling the investigation. Metcalfe Street was re-opened after about 40 minutes.

When first responders arrived, Nolin had no vital signs. He was pronounced dead at hospital.



Nolin was a member of the General Duty Protection Policing Team and was on duty at the time of the incident, but the incident was not duty-related, a source confirmed.



According to the RCMP website, the GDPP unit “provides safety and security for Canadian officials such as the Prime Minister and the Governor General, as well as international dignitaries and their residences and embassies.”



Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale issued a statement on the officer’s death, saying RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson said the service is providing full support to the family, as well as officers as they mourn the loss of their colleague.



“On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the RCMP officer who tragically passed away this morning in Ottawa,” Goodale said in a statement.



Goodale’s statement said the RCMP is working closely with the Ottawa police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.



The RCMP have not commented on the officer’s death.



With files from Doug Quan, Shaamini Yogaretnam, Bruce Deachman, and David Reevely