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Mary Shipstone: Funeral of girl shot by father in Northiam | Mary Shipstone: Funeral of girl shot by father in Northiam |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The funeral of a seven-year-old girl who was shot by her father in a village in Sussex has taken 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. |
Her mother Lyndsey Shipstone described her as a "fun, bright and inquisitive little girl". | |
The private service in St Mary's Church was followed by a private committal service in Beckley churchyard. | |
Mary's mother, Lyndsey Shipstone said: "It has been a month since our beautiful Mary was taken from us but the pain is still as fresh now as it was then. | |
"Mary was such a fun, bright, inquisitive little girl. | |
"Losing her so violently has left us in a state of trauma and grief. Her absence feels like a void that cannot be overcome. | |
"I will never forgot the kindness we have been shown over the last few weeks." | |
The Reverend Rod White, who has been helping to care for Ms Shipstone since the shooting, said: "The community have really come together in their love and support of the family. | |
'Bright-eyed energy' | '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 | At the scene |
By Juliette Parkin, BBC South East Today reporter | 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. | 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". | 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. | 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. | 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 after 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. |
Ms Shipstone said: "She will never leave our thoughts but at the moment every day is a struggle for us as we try to come to terms with our grief." |