Branden Stevenson's tribute to Canadian soldier Nathan Cirillo

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Nathan Cirillo killed when shot by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau outside Parliament
His best friend Corporal Branden Stevenson was on duty with him at time
Cpl Stevenson said: 'He was my friend, though he was more like a brother'
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper called shooting a terrorist attack

Published: 06:20 EST, 4 November 2014 | Updated: 06:29 EST, 4 November 2014

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A moving tribute has been released by Nathan Cirillo's best friend who was working alongside him when he was shot dead by a jihadi fanatic.

Corporal Branden Stevenson said he will forever miss Mr Cirillo, after his best friend - who was 'more like a brother' to him - inspired him to join the army.

Mr Stevenson was on duty at the National War Memorial on October 22 when jihadi Michael Zehaf Bibeau killed Mr Cirillo.

Zehaf-Bibeau, 32, was himself killed soon after the shooting when he was gunned down by the Canadian Parliament's sergeant-at-arms of the House of Commons, Kevin Vickers.

Corporals Branden Stevenson (left) and Nathan Cirillo pictured together in their army uniforms

In a statement, he has now said it was Mr Cirillo's love of the army that inspired him to join and the two so close they were 'always laughing or joking together'.

He said: 'The morning on October 22 was no different. As we stood sentry and walked the beat, one of my socks was sagging. Nathan smiled and intentionally kept our walk going so my sock would fall a little more.

'What happened shortly after left me in shock and grieving the loss of my best friend.

'In the coming days, I'll be resuming my duties at the National War Memorial. It will not be an easy task, but I am resolved to do it in honor of Nathan.

'My fellow soldiers and I remain proud and committed to watching over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as a strong, silent reminder of every person why made the ultimate sacrifice.'

Meanwhile, it has been revealed the gunman prepared a video recording of himself that reveals his ideological and political motives, police claim.

The footage of Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, which is yet to be released, is said to confirm investigators' fears that this was a meticulously planned terrorist attack.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner Bob Paulson said in a statement they have 'persuasive evidence that Michael Zehaf-Bibeau's attack was driven by ideological and political motives.'

The two soldiers were best friends and Mr Cirillo inspired Mr Stevenson to join the army

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called the shooting a terror attack, and the bloodshed raised fears that Canada is suffering reprisals for joining the U.S.-led air campaign against Islamic State extremists in Iraq and Syria.

Police are investigating Zehaf-Bibeau's interactions with numerous individuals in the days leading up to the attack and whether they could have contributed or facilitated it.

Paulson said a knife carried by Zehaf-Bibeau was taken from his aunt's property in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, and they're looking into how he got the rifle. Paulson called it an old, uncommon gun that police suspect he could have also hidden on the property.

Paulson said investigators also identified where he got his money for the car he bought and his pre-attack activities. He said Zehaf-Bibeau has been employed in the oil fields in Alberta, saved his money and has access to a considerable amount of funds.

'Politically and ideologically motivated': Michael Zehaf-Bibeau filmed a message before he launched his attack

Terror: Canadian police claim the video, which has yet to be released, confirms it was an act of terror

Police chase Canada shooter into parliament, more shots heard

Tragic: Corporal Nathan Cirillo, 24, (left) was killed by Zehaf-Bibeau (right) at the national war memorial

Masked and armed: Zehaf-Bibeau shot down two soldiers in a parking lot in Quebec, leaving one dead

'The RCMP is confident we will have an authoritative and detailed account of the shooting, including a complete reconstruction of the heroic actions of those involved, in the weeks to come,' said Paulson, who also said the Ontario Provincial Police will investigate the shooting inside Parliament.

The attack in Ottawa came two days after a man described as an 'ISIL-inspired terrorist' ran over two soldiers in a parking lot in Quebec, killing one and injuring the other before being shot to death by police.

Kerry places a wreath in memory of Canadian soldier killed

Mourning: Family attended a memorial in Hamilton, Ontario, for Cpl Cirillo

Tributes: Hundreds have placed flowers by the book of condolence at the Markey-Dermody Funeral Home

Candlelit vigil: The community has been shaken by the bloody tirade that left the 24-year-old officer dead

The man had been under surveillance by Canadian authorities, who feared he had jihadist ambitions and seized his passport when he tried to travel to Turkey.

Unlike the attacker in the Quebec case, Zehaf-Bibeau was not being watched by authorities. But Paulson said last week Zehaf-Bibeau, whose father was from Libya, may have lashed out in frustration over delays in getting his passport.

Paulson said his mother told police that her son had wanted to go Syria.

Susan Bibeau later denied that in a letter published by Postmedia News, saying her son told her he wanted to go to Saudi Arabia where he could study the Qu'ran.