Ottawa·Video

Paramedic chief among 1st responders at War Memorial shooting

Anthony Di Monte was leaving Ottawa City Hall on Elgin Street when he heard the call come through about a call at the National War Memorial. He tells CBC News about how people at the scene responded.

Anthony Di Monte on War Memorial shooting

10 years ago
Duration 4:35
Ottawa chief paramedic was among first to respond to scene and attempt to save life of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.

Ottawa paramedic chief Anthony Di Monte was one of the first people to arrive at the National War Memorial on Wednesday morning after Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was shot.

Di Monte happened to be at City Hall, just blocks away, when he heard the call.

In an interview on Thursday, he said bystanders were doing all the right things while administering CPR, and that their actions filled him with pride for the city.

"I'm extremely proud of my members, extremely proud of the community I live and raise my family in — bystanders just coming in to the aid of an unknown person.

"The outcome was unfortunately sealed when that shot was fired and that member of the forces was hit. There was nothing anybody probably could have done to change that outcome," Di Monte said.

To hear the entire interview with Di Monte, click on the video player above.