ottawa shooting
Police officers take cover near Parliament Hill following a shooting incident in Ottawa Reuters

Police are investigating a suspect identified as Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, as the possible gunmen in the Ottawa parliament shooting.

The suspect was killed in a stand-off in the parliament building. He is believed to be a Canadian national, who was born in 1982.

US agencies have been advised that Bibeau is a Canadian convert to Islam.

Police confirmed at an afternoon press conference that a male shooting suspect was dead after a soldier was killed while guarding the National War Memorial.

Eye witnesses reported the gunman was clothed all in black and his head covered with a scarf, as he stormed the parliament building.

Authorities initially said they believed 'two or three' gunmen were responsible for the attack.

Canada's capital city Ottawa remains on lockdown and members of the public have been warned to be vigilant amidst fears that the gunmen may still be on the loose.

Police have also released the identity of the soldier who was killed in the attack at the War Memorial, who is named as 24-year-old reservist Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.