A British Army soldier from Northern Ireland has been shot dead while off duty in Kenya.
Major Kevin McCool, aged 32, died on 29 November, the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
He was shot while on a motorbike trip away from base, according to his father Joseph McCool.
Mr McCool said his son was due to finish his tour of duty in Kenya three days after his death.
He added that his eldest son Fergal and wife Joan travelled to Kenya to be with Kevin before he died from his injuries.
"He decided to go out on his scrambler motorbike for one last ride up a local mountain," his father said.
"He went up a road and two guys jumped out at him with a gun. It seems that he thought the gun was a dummy, he didn't think it was real.
"He made the mistaken assumption that the gun was artificial and they shot him."
The MoD said Maj McCool, who saw service in Europe, the Middle East, the Falklands and Africa, "thrived in the military environment", adding that "he was at his best when deployed, and at his very best when the conditions were at their very worst".
Mr McCool told the PA news agency: "I don't know what to say. Every life is precious but this guy was really, really special.
"He was 1,500m Ulster champion. He ran for Ireland. He played piano, harp, tin whistle.
"He went to Sandhurst. He progressed up the ranks very quickly to be a major."
Mr McCool added that his son won several military cross-country races and various sporting events.
"He was loved, I am tempted to say adored, by his fellow officers. We are getting that from the horse's mouth. That is what we are being told by top brass because he was so good."
Mr McCool said his family is weathering the storm as best it can.
He said: "We are all in bits."
"We are incredibly proud of our son and what he has done," he added.
Maj McCool was commissioned from Sandhurst in August 2014 and the MoD said he had the "unwavering loyalty" of the recruits in his platoon and rifle company.
The Uk’s Labour leader Keir Starmer said: "My heart goes out to Maj McCool's family, friends, and fellow soldiers today in the face of their tragic loss.
"The tributes pouring out for him show a man who served his country with pride, integrity and bravery.
"His service will not be forgotten."
