A memorial service was held yesterday for Olivia Pratt Kobel, nine years old, at a church located just yards from her primary school. More than 200 mourners attended.
The moment of prayer was marked as a “dark hour”Liverpool, where the schoolgirl was killed at her home on Monday.
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Hundreds of friends, family, and strangers paid their respects at St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church where Olivia would have received her first Holy Communion in the new school year.
The church was packed with hundreds of people who came to the service. Outside, there were about 50 more.
Crowds left church weeping and hugging friends and family.
After the church service was over, parents held their young children close to their hearts.
For those who desired to pray for the victim, the church was still open until 8 pm.
Many people were left waiting outside the church door after Olivia’s funeral.
Cheryl, Olivia’s mother, was among the congregation. She was hurt trying to protect her daughter last week during the attack.
After opening her front door to check shots outside her family home, she tried desperately to keep the gunman away from her house.
The gunman followed the 35-year-old as she ran in close to her, trying desperately to stop them.
Cheryl was shot in the wrist when the killer blindly started shooting with “complete disregard”While Olivia was hit in her chest.
Today, the nine-year old’s headteacher was also present at the church to pay her respects.
Rebecca Wilkinson said Sky NewsOlivia’s school will offer counseling to its students when they return next week.
She said: “It is an opportunity to find out how deep the impact has been on the children.”
Other people present expressed sadness and anger at the murder, especially parents who were in the vicinity of the incident, which left them terrified for their children.
As one woman left the service she said, “Sad, just so sad”.
A second: “I just fear for the young children growing today up in a cruel, cruel world.”
They will, I hope.
Olivia’s Memorial: Woman at the Event
She expressed her concern about Olivia’s demise to everyone. “I just hope they get them.”
Right Reverend Tom Williams is the auxiliary bishop of Liverpool. “We’ve all taken this personally. There’s a real sense of family in Liverpool – you hit one, you hit the other, you hit everybody.”
Since Olivia’s death, two men, aged 36 and 33, were arrested on suspicion of murder but have been released on bail.
For violating the licence conditions, the older male was sent back to prison
The gunman that shot Olivia wanted to inflict multiple injuries to his upper body on the 35-year-old target.
However, Olivia was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after the horror intrusion.
Tragically, the schoolgirl was found dead just after 10pm.
An inquest this week revealed how a police officer used his hand to cover Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s bullet wound as he rushed her to hospital.
The officer scooped up the nine-year-old in his arms when he found her dying at her home.
Her heart then stopped while in the police car on the way to A&E.
As part of their crackdown on organised criminality, more than 30 police officers were arrested in 24 hours.
Merseyside Police made 32 police arrests, executed 66 stop and search warrants, seized eight vehicles, and executed 11 warrants.
Mark Kameen, Detective Chief Superintendent, stated: “The murder of Olivia in her own home, the place where she should have been safest, has crossed all boundaries and detectives and uniformed officers are working round the clock to find the person or persons responsible.”
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