Heavy police presence at Rideau Centre mall in Ottawa

Police are responding to an active call at the Rideau Centre in Ottawa, which has been locked down due to an emergency.

Employees have been evacuated from the mall and police aren’t letting anyone near the downtown Ottawa building.

A message to people who work in the building said the building was locked down due to an emergency. Employees who hadn't been evacuated were instructed to lock down within stores and stay away from the doors.

Officers with guns drawn could be seen outside the mall, including at the Rideau transit station. Heavily armed tactical officers could be seen entering a mall entrance on Rideau Street.

Multiple witnesses reported the power went out inside the shopping centre. Customers near an entrance on Rideau Street were told to leave and run west, toward Sussex Drive.