Mother of five shot dead by ex-boyfriend while protecting children in Illinois

Cahokia Heights authorities report that Xavier Harrison, 30, opened fire on his former partner Danielle Rivera, 40, outside an abandoned American Legion post in southern Illinois, killing her in front of their 16-year-old daughter before committing suicide. Relatives say Rivera agreed to meet Harrison to protect her children and her mother, who lived with her, believing it would prevent greater harm. Rivera had obtained a protection order against Harrison in March, which was dismissed in April, and a separate woman had filed for protection against him the month before.

Witnesses recount that Harrison had previously threatened Rivera and her family, and police records show numerous domestic-violence calls linked to him. Rivera was the primary breadwinner for her five children and her mother, working long hours, and her mother plans to raise the children after the tragedy.