The 22-year-old Protestant labourer shot on his way to work by a loyalist gunman in the Waterside area of Derry last Wednesday was due to have become a father for the first time. Mourners at the funeral yesterday of Darren Thompson were told that his partner, Ms Donna Stonner, is three months pregnant with their child.
Mr Thompson, who worked at a building site in Altnagelvin Hospital, died in the hospital last Friday, two days after he was shot in the head at close range by a gunman armed with a pistol.
The murder took place during an upsurge in loyalist violence in Tullyally, Waterside, over the last two months.
Yesterday the funeral cortege from Mr Thompson's home at Harkness Gardens passed the scene of his murder in Woodburn Park on its way to a service in Glendermott parish church.
The mourners were led by the victim's parents, Gilbert and Margaret Thompson, and his younger brothers and sisters, Sabrina, Scott, Christopher and Shan-Ann.
Among the hundreds of mourners were several of the PSNI detectives investigating Mr Thompson's murder.
The Rev Derek Creighton, who conducted the service, said that Mr Thompson's murder was brutal and horrific and the family's wish was that there should be no reprisal.
Rev Creighton said Mr Thompson had been murdered by "cruel and callous people" and the Thompson family wanted anyone with information about the killing to contact the police.
After the funeral service, Mr Thompson was buried in Ballyoan cemetery.