As heartbreaking news continues to surface about the lives and families involved in Sunday’s Texas church massacre, we’re starting to learn more about the 26 victims who lost their lives to the evil acts of a shooter that fateful morning.
One brave little boy who is recovering this week is Ryland Ward.
GoFundMe
The 5-year-old was reportedly shot five times: once in the elbow, twice in the stomach and twice in the leg, according to a GoFundMe campaign created on the little boy’s behalf.
Ryland’s injuries are extensive, and the trauma of Sunday’s shooting is something that no human being should ever have to carry with them—much less a five-year-old.
Still, he made it out alive. And it’s all because of the bravery and sacrifice of Ryland’s step-mom, Joann Ward.
When gunman, Devin Kelley opened fire on the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, Joann reportedly pushed her 9-year-old daughter, Rihanna Garza, to the floor before throwing her body on top of three of her younger children to protect them from the spewing bullets.