Lisa Williams was a passenger on a flight that had just landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Tuesday and — like most in the situation — was simply waiting for a turn to walk down the fuselage’s narrow aisle and exit the aircraft. But then she heard the pilot grab the cockpit microphone and inform them all that the body of United States Army Special Forces Officer Shawn Thomas would be first to come off the jet.

So, she grabbed her smartphone and captured the scene contained in the video below: the crushing moment Thomas’ family first sees his American flag-draped casket:

This from WTSP:

Warrant Officer 1 Thomas was killed February 2 in a non-combat vehicle accident while serving in a counter-terrorism role in the African nation of Niger, according to a report from Stars and Stripes. A second soldier, who was not identified, was injured during the crash.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to their families during this difficult time,” U.S. Africa Command said in a statement.

Thomas was a member of the 1st Batallion, 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg. He leaves behind a wife and four children.

The footage has been viewed more than 9 million times on Facebook.