Area boy wounded in Texas church shooting wants Christmas Cards

Five-year-old Ryland Ward of San Saba, who was severely wounded on Nov. 5 when a gunman opened fire inside of the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, wants Christmas cards, his grandmother told KSAT-TV in San Antonio.

Ryland remains in a San Antonio hospital where he faces a prolonged stay as he recovers from his injuries.

He was shot five times including once in the elbow, twice in the stomach and twice in the leg.

The shooting left him with a shattered femur and damage to his bladder, a kidney and his left arm.

The emotional toll is harder to quantify.

Doctors put a stint in the boy’s injured kidney on Tuesday, according to an update on a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $105,000 to help the family with expenses.

“This young warrior has many battles to overcome,” the post said.

Ryland was with his stepmother, Joann, at the time of the shooting.

She was killed by the gunman.

Her daughters, Brooke Ward, 5, and Emily Garza, 7, also died.

In all, 26 people ranging in age from 18 months to 77 years in age died in the rampage.

The gunman was later found dead in his vehicle.

Cards for the boy may be sent to:

Ryland Ward

P.O. Box 174

Sutherland Springs, Texas, 78161