A devastated relative of a father and young daughter killed in the Plymouth mass shooting has pair a heartbreaking tribute to the pair.
Lee Martyn, 43, and his three-year-old daughter Sophie were among five people killed by gunman Jake Davison, 22, as he went on a rampage in the Keyham area of the city on Thursday evening.
Sophie was pushing a toy pram and her dad tried to shield her as they were gunned down, moments after Davison killed his own mother.
Mr Martyn's cousin Jess Morcom, a journalist at PlymouthLive, told the website that her "heart hurts" thinking about how Sophie's life was cut so short.
Ms Morcom said in her tribute: "I physically cannot believe I am writing these words and have re written this so many times struggling to find the right ones.
"This is only something you hear about happening miles away from home, and you never ever think it will be your family.
"When someone passes it’s often the norm to say how they were the world's nicest person etc etc, but I really do mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say that that was Lee.
"He had the kindest heart, would do anything for anybody and you only had to take one look at him to see how much he loved and adored his family, Bex [his wife Becky] and his children."
Ms Morcom said Mr Martyn had always been there for her and her partner and she couldn't thank him enough for that.
She said: "I was always so proud to be able to say you were my cousin. The world is going to be a much darker place without you in it."
She added: "Beautiful little Soph my darling, how truly blessed we all were to have seen you grow into such a beautiful funny and clever girl for the three years that we had with you.
"My heart hurts so much thinking about how it should have been so many more. I will miss your cheekiness and your dancing the most.
"I will think of you both every single day for the rest of my life. Our family will never be the same."
Ms Morcom urged people to "hug your loved ones a bit tighter, tell them you love them more" as her family mourns Sophie and Mr Martyn, who also had a young son.
She added: "Right now I would give absolutely anything to go back to the last time I saw them.
"It really is the best people that get taken too soon. I hope you’re both up there dancing in the sky far from any evil and reunited with your mum Lee, I know that you two and Auntie Chris will be watching over us all forever.
"We will take care of Bex and Cayden. Sleep tight."
A JustGiving page has been set up to support Mrs Martyn and her son, raising more than £7,500 as of Sunday morning.
Family friend Mark Smith, who set up the page, wrote: "Becky has been there for many of us at some point, now we need to be there for her.
"No words or anything we do will make things better, but maybe raising a bit of money for them, and then they can decide how to spend it is something.
"I know everyone loves Bex, so whatever you can afford will be appreciated."
