In the moments after the fatal shooting that would claim the life of Hamilton's Nathan Cirillo, his friend – a fellow Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada reservist – chased after the shooter in vain.

The pair, 24-year-old Cirillo and Branden Stevenson, had travelled from Hamilton to Ottawa several days before to start their week-long rotation as ceremonial guards before the National War Memorial.

They were "very best and closest friend(s)" who had volunteered for the honorary posting together, said Argyll Honorary Colonel Ron Foxcroft.

They were standing next to each other when a gunman, identified as Michael Zehaf Bibeau, fired twice, point blank at Cirillo Wednesday morning at the start of a terror attack that ended with a shooting rampage inside the Parliament buildings. The shooter was killed by Sergeant-At-Arms Kevin Vickers. Cirillo was pronounced dead in hospital.

"When it happened, (Stevenson) actually went after the shooter, but the shooter, of course, got away," Foxcroft said Thursday morning, standing in the lobby of Hamilton City Hall where a book of condolences in Cirillo's memory will remain for a week.

"I understand that (Stevenson) is feeling the emotion probably more than anybody else because he was his best friend and he stood beside him and witnessed the cowardly act," Foxcroft said.

Throughout the day, a steady stream of mourners laid flowers, cards, flags, and even a bottle of Molson Canadian beer outside the gates of John Weir Foote Armoury on James Street North, where the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders are based. They remembered the young father, fitness buff, animal lover and soldier.

Jim Cirillo, the uncle of the slain soldier, came to visit the memorial at the armoury Thursday afternoon.

"He had a passion for the army. I'm sure the day he was born, I think it was printed on him that he was going to be in the army. He loved the army," Jim Cirillo said. "He was a fearless person."

Premier Kathleen Wynne, who appeared shaken and emotional, was also among the visitors. She briefly spoke to reporters outside before heading inside the military base.

"This was a senseless act of violence, and I think we all need to pull together and demonstrate our outrage and our pain in this moment. That's why I wanted to come today," she said.

"I want the family to know how much we respect their son, their father, their brother, and how grateful we are that people like Nathan sign up and take on these roles," she added. "This is a community saying, 'We love this young man.' We love him for what he did and what he stood for."

NDP leader Andrea Horwath said news of Cirillo's passing hit close to home. The Hamilton Centre MPP has represented the Argylls' home base both provincially and formerly as the downtown city councillor.

"I've been in this space many times. We gather here for Remembrance Day each and every year. We know the folks here, we march with them – it's going to be a poignant Remembrance Day this year," she said.

Horwath also said she is in the process of reaching out to the Cirillo family. "I'm sure they're having a very, very difficult time. We're trying to be respectful, but at the same time, let them know that our hearts are with them."

The Muslim Council of Greater Hamilton released a statement early Thursday condemning the attack and offering condolences. In the afternoon, they laid a wreath at the armoury.

"Islam is a religion of peace. People who do these acts — they are totally not within the fold of Islam at all. They are using Islam as a crutch," said Ali Ghouse, president of the Muslim Council of Greater Hamilton.

"This soldier was on guard for us – for me."

Other dignitaries who paid respects included U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, and Ontario Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell.

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A book of condolences will also be placed in the Ontario legislature, after a request by Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MPP Paul Miller was unanimously supported.

Cirillo, who had been with the Argylls about five years, was typically the first in training and last person to leave. That's why his regiment felt it was important to continue with training Wednesday night, despite the killing.

"It was training night and, of course, everybody had sadness, a heavy heart," Foxcroft said. "But the one thing we knew Cpl. Cirillo would want is to continue with rigorous training."

Foxcroft said Cirillo perfectly symbolized the attributes of the Argylls.

Colonel Geordie Elms, the mayor's senior adviser of military heritage and protocol and a former commanding officer of the Argylls, said details about Cirillo's funeral will be made public once they are available.

Elms said there is also a clear "military system" in place to take care of Stevenson.

He said it's not clear if he remains in Ottawa or has returned to Hamilton. But this protocol would likely keep Stevenson from talking.

Online, there has been no public activity on Stevenson's social media accounts since the shooting. On his Facebook account, many friends posted messages of concern and then condolence as news broke.

The Argylls are working on establishing a trust account benefiting Cirillo's family, specifically his six-year-old son. Elms warned that a gofundme.com account that was briefly open online was not legitimate, and RCMP have been advised.

The Spectator will provide details of the trust account when they are available.

John Malloy, director of education for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, issued a notice to parents and guardians about Cirillo's death.

"As a country, we mourn the loss of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, a reservist from Hamilton and a graduate from Sherwood Secondary School, who died tragically in Ottawa," he wrote.

All schools had flags lowered to half-mast Thursday, and Malloy provided tips for helping kids understand the news, including reassuring children they are safe.