Boy Who Was Shot 5 Times in Texas Massacre Now Fighting for His Life After Losing 3 Family Members
Ryland Ward, 5, lost his stepmother, stepsister and half-sister in Sunday's mass shooting.
A little boy who lost three family members in Sunday's church massacre is now fighting for his own life after he was shot five times.
At just 5 years old, Ryland Ward managed to survive a barrage of bullets when cops say shooter Devin Kelley entered the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs and murdered 26 people while injuring 20.
Among the dead are Ryland's stepmother, stepsister and half-sister.
Ryland's uncle told People magazine that the family is hopeful the little boy will survive but he may have to be in the hospital for months and will likely have to learn how to walk again after a bullet broke a bone in one of his legs.
In spite of their positive outlook, a family friend wrote in a GoFundMe post that it's "going to be [a] long journey" back to wellness for the little Ryland.
"Right now, he is in critical condition on a breathing tube," Heather Bradley wrote. "We have set up a bank account that will go directly for Ryland and all his expenses. Thank you everyone that is and has helped us with all the [donations] already."
Nearly $50,000 of a $100,000 fundraising goal had been raised by Tuesday morning.
Another GoFundMe page was created to help offset funeral costs for Ryland’s stepmother, Joann, and her daughters, Brooke Ward, 5, and 7-year-old Emily Garza, who were killed in the attack.
Ryland’s 9-year-old older sister was also at the church. She survived the attack after a bullet reportedly grazed off her glasses.
Sunday's shooting is being called the deadliest in modern Texas history.