Escorted by the Stockdale firefighters who rescued him from the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, where he was critically wounded in the November 5 shooting that left 26 people died, six year old Ryland Ward went home Thursday afternoon, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Ryland was the last of the victims of the shooting to still be under treatment at University Hospital. He suffered multiple injuries in the shooting, but his life was saved when his stepmother threw herself over him when the bullets started flying. She was among those killed.
"Ryland and his family are happy to be going home. Many of us at University Health System who have been touched by the strength and spirit of Ryland and the other Sutherland Springs patients celebrate this milestone with them and their families," University Hospital said in a statement.
Ryland will still need to undergo significant medical care for his wounds.
Ryland made national news in December when he asked for Christmas cards to be sent to his room. University Hospital reported Ryland got so many Christmas cards that they had to be stacked up in his room.
PHOTO: UNIVERSITY HOSPTIAL