A video of little Olivia Pratt-Korbel has been released as her dad paid tribute to her and said her death 'cannot be in vain'.
The nine-year-old was fatally shot in her home in Dovecot in Liverpool on August 22. A gunman chased convicted burglar Joseph Nee into the property after her mum opened the door to see what was going on.
Olivia died of a gunshot wound to her chest as she hid behind her mother, Cheryl, who was shot in the arm. Her dad John Francis Pratt and his wider family have now paid tribute to her after she was 'snatched away'.
READ MORE: Detectives granted further 36 hours to quiz three men over Olivia Pratt-Korbel's death
They described her as a 'real bright spark' as they released a video of her enjoying a ride at the Liverpool Christmas Markets. The family also issued a heartfelt plea for anyone who has any information about what happened to her come forward.
In a statement released by Merseyside Police, they say: "Olivia’s death cannot be in vain and we want people to feel safe and be safe, that can only happen if we all come together and make sure there is no place for guns, or those who use guns on our streets or in our communities."
Her family added: “Olivia’s future has been cruelly snatched away from her and we have been deprived of a real light in our lives. We know that there has been an exceptional response to police appeals and we would like to thank those who have come forward.
"At the same time we want to urge others who may have evidence to keep coming forward with information which could help put those responsible for our Olivia’s murder behind bars. We have been really taken aback by the kindness and support we have received from family, friends and neighbours in the last two weeks, and we would like to thank them for being there for us.
"We know that most people on Merseyside are good-hearted and kind just like them, and we all need to stand together. We don’t want another child to lose their life in such horrendous circumstances and we don’t want to see another family suffer like we are suffering now."
The family said Olivia 'loved to laugh and make people laugh'. They added: "Words can’t express the pain we are going through after Olivia was so cruelly snatched away from us. Those responsible need to know what they have done.
"Olivia was a real bright spark who knew her own mind, had no problem making friends (she would talk to anyone) and loved to laugh and make people laugh. She could be a proper wind up merchant and loved to wind her nieces up, particularly those who were older than her and when they didn’t like it she’d just laugh and say ‘don’t forget I’m your aunty’."
Four men have been arrested in connection with her death. A 34-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, and a 41-year-old man and a 29-year-old man, who have both been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, are being kept in custody for another 36 hours.
The three suspects were arrested on Sunday. Another 34-year-old man, who was the fourth person arrested in the space of 24 hours, is still being interviewed by officers.
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