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Former Ogden resident Robbie Parker recalls loving, creative 6-year-old daughter

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By Bridget Murphy

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, Dec. 15 2012 4:58 p.m. MST

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Robbie Parker, the father of six-year-old Emilie who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, speaks during a news conference, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, in Newtown, Conn. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

David Goldman, AP

Summary

The father of a 6-year-old girl killed in the Connecticut elementary school massacre says his deep pain is comforted by the memory of how bright, loving and creative his daughter was.

More Coverage
  • Day of soul-searching, grief: Conn. town mourns as police look for answers

  • When tragedy strikes children

NEWTOWN, Conn. — Fighting back tears and struggling to catch his breath, the father of a 6-year-old gunned down in the school shooting in Connecticut told the world Saturday about a little girl who loved to draw and was always smiling, and he also reserved surprising words of sympathy for the gunman.

Robbie Parker's daughter Emilie was among the 20 children who died Friday in the one of the worst attacks on schoolchildren in U.S. history. He was one of the first parents to speak publicly about their loss.

"She was beautiful. She was blond. She was always smiling," he said.

Parker spoke to reporters not long after police released the names and ages of the victims, a simple document that told a horrifying story of loss.

He expressed no animosity, said he was not mad and offered sympathy for family of the man who killed 26 people and himself.

To the man's family, he said, "I can't imagine how hard this experience must be for you."

He said he struggled to explain the death to Emilie's two siblings, 3 and 4.

"They seem to get the fact that they have somebody they're going to miss very much," he said.

Parker said his daughter loved to try new things — except for new food. And she was quick to cheer up those in need.

"She never missed an opportunity to draw a picture or make a card for those she around her," he said.

The world is a better place because Emilie was in it, he said.

"I'm so blessed to be her dad," he said.

Related Stories
  • Day of soul-searching, grief: Conn. town mourns as police look for answers

  • When tragedy strikes children

Featured Comments

See all 4 comments »
Admiring Gentile
Salt Lake City, UT

When I read Mr. Parker's words after this heartbreaking tragedy, I sensed he was a Mormon, even though it wasn't mentioned. He emphasized free agency and his own free agency on how to respond to it. Plus, he knew Portuguese, which sounded More..

  • 10:48 a.m. Dec. 16, 2012
  • Top comment
rlsintx
Plano, TX

Brave young father, wise to forgive early and choose to move forward - nothing can be gained by dwelling on what cannot be changed. God Bless their young family.

  • 6:48 p.m. Dec. 16, 2012
  • Top comment
Blessed to be LDS
Alberta, 00

My heart goes out to all of those involved in this tragedy. Those precious little children were just TO precious for a world like this so Heavenly Father brought them home where there is peace and love forever. God be with you all and never forget More..

  • 7:28 a.m. Dec. 16, 2012
  • Top comment
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