Local soldier killed in Ottawa shooting

(Updated)

A chilling and frightening scene inside our parliament buildings — as a gunman opens fire just steps from the prime minister.

Ottawa remains on lockdown this hour, and Canadian military bases across the country along with police forces in this province are on heightened alert.

Fear continues to grip the nation’s capital following the multiple shootings there. Here at home, family and friends are trying to cope with the shocking loss of someone they love.

A soldier, shot and killed at the Ottawa War Memorial. That soldier is from Hamilton — a member of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.

The soldier killed has been identified as Corporal Nathan Cirillo.

He’s seen here — in a photo taken just moments before the shooting at the National War Memorial. It shows two members of the Argylls at the Memorial. The man on the left is Nathan Cirillo. The picture was tweeted shortly after the incident with the following message: “We were on a tour at that war monument in Ottawa a few minutes ago, a few seconds later there was a shooting.”

Cirillo was 24-years old and was a reservist with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada. According to his family, Cirillo had also served in Afghanistan. CHCH spoke with his aunt, Gwen Angell, who tells us he has a five-year old son who he was raising on his own, and two sisters. Multiple pictures of Cirillo posted online show him cuddling with a dog and working out. His aunt tells CHCH his mother and girlfriend has been flown to Ottawa by the military.

A memorial page called “Rest in Peace Corporal Nathan Cirillo” has been set up on Facebook, along with a go-fund-me site to support his family.

There’s been an outpouring of condolences from around the world and here at home.

Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina spoke about the loss of Corporal Cirillo.