5 Christians who died trying to save the lives of others

By Samantha Kamman, Christian Post Reporter Friday, January 20, 2023

Mom dies protecting her children during a church shooting

Joann Ward reportedly used her body to shield her children from gunfire during a 2017 mass shooting at a Texas church.

As The Houston Chronicle reported at the time, Ward shoved one child, Rihanna Ward, 9, to the floor and covered her other three children when the shooter walked into the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs and killed over two dozen people.

Haley Martinez, Ward's niece, said, "Knowing Joann, that's something she would do."

Two of Ward's children Emily Rainn Garcia, 7, and Brooke Ward, 5, were killed, while her son, Ryland Ward, 5, was in critical condition after he was shot four times.

"I didn't get shot because I was hiding, and momma covered Emily, Ryland & Brooke," Rihanna told Joann's friend, Vonda Greek Smith.

According to Smith, Joann's "whole world" was "her babies."

Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: samantha.kamman@christianpost.com. Follower her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman