Cambodians living in Ottawa say Wednesday’s shooting at parliament there has created fear throughout the city.
The unprecedented attack, in which the assailant, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, 32, was killed by security personnel, happened just 10 kilometers from Teav Vannat, who has lived in the city since 1980.
He told VOA Khmer that even though there is no new threat, there is still a sense of shock. “Canada has never had an attack like this,” he said.
His daughter, who attends Ottawa University, near the parliament building, did not attend school after the shooting, he said.
Some Kolvath, who moved to Ottawa after fleeing the Khmer Rouge, lives five minutes from the scene of the attack. He said roads are open, but many people are choosing to stay home.
“I have a daughter who works downtown, but I told her not to go,” he said. But he said life would return to normal soon.