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Mary Shipstone: Funeral of girl shot by father in Northiam | Mary Shipstone: Funeral of girl shot by father in Northiam |
(35 minutes later) | |
The funeral of a seven-year-old girl who was shot by her father in a village in Sussex is taking place. | The funeral of a seven-year-old girl who was shot by her father in a village in Sussex is taking place. |
Mary Shipstone was shot twice in the head outside her home in Northiam on 11 September as she returned home from school with her mother. | Mary Shipstone was shot twice in the head outside her home in Northiam on 11 September as she returned home from school with her mother. |
Her father, Yasser Alromisse, killed himself after the shooting. Mary died in hospital the following day. | Her father, Yasser Alromisse, killed himself after the shooting. Mary died in hospital the following day. |
The private service in the village began at 11:00 BST in St Mary's Church. | The private service in the village began at 11:00 BST in St Mary's Church. |
The Reverend Rod White, who has been helping to care for Mary's mother Lyndsey since the shooting, said: "The community have really come together in their love and support of the family. | The Reverend Rod White, who has been helping to care for Mary's mother Lyndsey since the shooting, said: "The community have really come together in their love and support of the family. |
'Bright-eyed energy' | |
"I know there have been very good neighbours who have been there with them throughout this difficult time." | "I know there have been very good neighbours who have been there with them throughout this difficult time." |
At the scene | |
By Juliette Parkin, BBC South East Today reporter | |
Members of Mary's family followed her small coffin, covered in white, into St Mary's Church before the funeral started at 11:00 BST. | |
During the service, which was relayed by speaker to people outside the church, Reverend Rod White, spoke of Mary's "strong-willed streak" and "her bright-eyed energy". | |
He seemed to struggle at times as as he led tributes to the seven-year-old who was baptised at the church last December. | |
As well as the celebration of the life of a "caring and lively" little girl, there's a real sense of deep sadness here today over the fact that it was tragically cut short. | |
Speaking following the shooting, Ms Shipstone said the family had moved to Northiam from a women's refuge in Camber Sands, after she separated from her violent husband. | Speaking following the shooting, Ms Shipstone said the family had moved to Northiam from a women's refuge in Camber Sands, after she separated from her violent husband. |
Ms Shipstone said: "As soon as I put my front door key in there was a terrible bang behind me and I turned round and Mary was on the ground. | Ms Shipstone said: "As soon as I put my front door key in there was a terrible bang behind me and I turned round and Mary was on the ground. |
"I saw her father with the gun in his hand pointing at Mary's head and he fired it a second time, and then he retreated into the car. | "I saw her father with the gun in his hand pointing at Mary's head and he fired it a second time, and then he retreated into the car. |
"I just dropped down to Mary and dragged her round the front of the house away from the car. | "I just dropped down to Mary and dragged her round the front of the house away from the car. |
"I was screaming for help and I was telling the neighbours that he had a gun and Mary had been shot." | "I was screaming for help and I was telling the neighbours that he had a gun and Mary had been shot." |
A fund to help children affected by trauma has been set up in memory of Mary. | A fund to help children affected by trauma has been set up in memory of Mary. |
Money from the fund will support Rye-based charity The Music Well, which offers music therapy to children. | Money from the fund will support Rye-based charity The Music Well, which offers music therapy to children. |