TORONTO (AP) — Canadians have been mourning the army reservist who was killed in yesterday’s shooting attack on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Corporal Nathan Cirillo is being remembered as a devoted father who was so ready to make people smile that he was once known as a class clown.
Flags are at half-staff to honor Cirillo, a 24-year-old from Hamilton, Ontario. He was shot dead as he stood guard before the country’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
It was the start of an attack that ended with a lone gunman storming into Parliament and opening fire before being shot dead himself.
The mayor of Hamilton says Cirillo was a life-long military enthusiast who joined the cadets at age 13 and was training to become a full-time soldier. He says Circillo had only been assigned to the post at the memorial in the last day or so.
Friends remember him as a loving father to his six-year-old son, and a gregarious outdoor enthusiast and fitness buff. And they say he was always eager to help friends.
He is also remembered for his love of animals. He left behind scores of photos of his dogs on his Instagram and Facebook accounts.
Here are a few images:
Cirillo's dogs. Such a sad sight. pic.twitter.com/LTnPxOMlT6
— molly hayes (@MollyatTheSpec) October 23, 2014
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