Three people are dead after a shooting in Montreal. Canada's worst fears realised. A lone gunman opened fire in a busy downtown area.
The attack is not yet officially labelled terrorism. But the UK's counter-terrorism experts have already offered support. Whitehall sources confirm MI5 and Met Police specialists are on standby.
The Home Office says it is in 'close contact' with Canadian authorities. This is standard procedure. A sign of the depth of intelligence sharing.
The shooting happened at 2pm local time. Witnesses describe chaos. Screaming.
Police swarmed the scene. The gunman is believed to be dead. No motive yet.
Early reports suggest the attacker was known to police. But not for terrorism. This will be a test for Trudeau.
He faces pressure to tighten gun laws. Again. Canada has strict rules.
But illegal weapons still flow. The UK knows this well. Our own knife crime epidemic is a constant battle.
Now the focus is on the victims. Three families shattered. A city in shock.
But the political fallout is just beginning. Expect questions about security services. Were there warning signs?
Could this have been prevented? The UK's offer of assistance is a gesture of solidarity. But it also reflects a cold calculation.
We need Canada's intelligence as much as they need ours. The global jihadist threat is not gone. It has mutated.
Lone actors. Inspired but not directed. Harder to track.
The FCO is advising British nationals in Montreal to stay vigilant. No change to the travel advisory yet. But that could come.
The narrative will shift rapidly. From tragedy to hunt for answers. The UK's role will be to provide technical help.
Forensic analysis. Behavioural profiling. The kind of support we offered after the Nova Scotia massacre.
This is what we do. We are the world's counter-terrorism backroom. But tonight, three families mourn.
The rest is noise.
