Canadian Soldier's Picture Minutes Before He Was Shot

Heartbreaking Photo Shows Nathan Cirillo Moments Before Shooting

The Huffington Post Canada

Posted: 10/22/2014 6:02 pm EDT Updated: 10/23/2014 8:59 am EDT

• Share11071
• Tweet3938
• 8
• Email36
• Comment102

Just minutes before being gunned down Wednesday morning, Cpl. Nathan Cirillostood stoically in front of the National War Memorial.

The moment was captured by a young man from Winnipeg on a tour of the monument who posted the photo to Twitter.

The caption reads: "Ok so we were on a tour at that war monument in Ottawa a few minutes ago, a few seconds later there was a shooting.."

The photo was taken at 9:41 a.m., HuffPost Canada was told by the poster. Just 12 minutes later, at 9:53 am, journalist Peter Henderson sent out what is thought to be the first tweet about the shooting.

Cpl. Cirillo, a Hamilton-based reservist with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was father to a young son.

His Instagram profile shows off his love of dogs, and particularly German shepherds.

On Sunday, Cirillo posed for another heart-wrenching photo in front of memorial.

Cirillo and his family are in the thoughts of all Canadians today.