The funeral of 19-year-old shooting victim Aya Hachem has taken place in her home country of Lebanon, in the village of Kholeileh.

The law student was killed by shots fired from a passing car in Blackburn last Sunday.

Her parents say she was a "most loyal, devoted daughter" who enjoyed spending time with her family.

Speaking to Middle East Eye, cousin Mohammed Hachem said: "As a kid she was always taking care of her cousins, she always felt responsible as a young child, and a decade later when I saw how active she was in social work, I wasn’t surprised."

He added: "Despite the tragedy that hit the family I am grateful I was able to see her in her new life in Blackburn."

Villagers in Kholeileh were permitted to make an exception to lockdown rules for the funeral in which extended family members and residents gathered to pay their respects.

Also speaking to Middle East Eye, Koleileh municipality chief Mohamad Chemali said: "We thought the UK would provide her with better opportunities, a safe life and better prospects.

"We were wrong; it offered death."

Lancashire Telegraph:

Meanwhile in Blackburn Aya's death was marked with an Islamic prayer call near the scene on Thursday and by carnation flowers at the scene.

As of Saturday evening, five people have been charged with the murder and appeared before Preston Magistrate's Court.

Uthman Satia, 28, of Oxford Close, Blackburn; Judy Chapman, 26, of St Hubert’s Road, Great Harwood and Kashif Manzoor, 24, of Shakeshaft Street, Blackburn, Feroz Suleman, 39, of Shear Brow, Blackburn and Abubakir Satia, 31, of Oxford Close, Blackburn have all been charged with both murder and attempted murder.

The five are currently on remand and will appear before Preston Crown Court on Wednesday.

Detectives are focusing on what happened leading up to and following the shooting and are asking anyone with dash cam footage travelling on the A666 between Blackburn and Bolton, in both directions, during the times of 2pm and 4pm on Sunday, May 17th, to get in touch.

Anybody with any other information is asked to call 101, quoting log number 0412 of May 18th, or anonymously via independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

The investigation continues.