OGDEN, Utah - A girl with Utah ties was among the 26 people killed in Friday morning's mass shooting in a Connecticut elementary school.
6-year-old Emilie Parker was among the 20 children killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.
Emilie's parents grew up and met in Ogden. Eight months ago, a new job sent them to Newtown with their three children. Emilie was the oldest.
Robbie Parker, Emilie's father, spoke from an LDS meeting house on Saturday, remembering Emilie's kindness and strength.
"She was the type of person who could just light up the room. She always had something kind to say about anybody. And her love, and the strength that she gave us, and the example that she showed us is remarkable. She is an incredible person, and I am so blessed to be her dad," Robbie Parker said.
He also expressed condolences to the families of the other victims, including the family of the shooter.
"As we move on from what happened here; what happened to so many people, let it not turn into something that defines us but something that inspires us to be better, to be more compassionate and more humble people," Robbie said.
A Facebook page called "Emilie Parker Fund," was set up by friends of the Parker family on Friday.
Bridgette McLeighton, a family friend, says the family is planning on bringing Emilie's body back to be buried with family members in Utah.
The fund has been set up to help with medical and funeral expenses. It's at America First Credit Union under the name Emilie Parker Memorial Account.
