A mother of five who was fatally sH๏τ by her former partner in an apparent murder-suicide was trying to protect her children, according to her grieving family. 💔

Danielle Rivera, 40, was allegedly sH๏τ by Xavier Harrison, 30, outside an abandoned American Legion post in southern Illinois shortly before midnight Saturday. Her 16-year-old daughter was reportedly nearby and witnessed the tragic incident. Harrison then allegedly turned the gun on himself, according to local reports.

Although police said Rivera and Harrison had previously been in a relationship, Rivera’s loved ones said they were no longer together and claimed Harrison had continued to harᴀss her for years.

Her family believes Rivera agreed to meet him that night because she feared he might go to her home, where her five children and mother lived. They believe she made the heartbreaking decision in an effort to keep her loved ones safe. 🕊️

“The only way I can best describe it is if she didn’t go and pick him up, then he would’ve probably gone to her residence, and there would’ve been a lot more harm and tragedy,” Teresa Fiudo told KSDK.

“We lost her,” Fiudo said. “But she died protecting her kids. She did what any mother would do.”

Rivera’s mother, Karen, said her daughter had essentially put herself in harm’s way to protect her family. ❤️

Her 16-year-old daughter reportedly witnessed the shooting, then ran to safety and called 911, according to Rivera’s niece, Aubrey.

Court records show Rivera had previously obtained an order of protection against Harrison in March, though it was dismissed several weeks later. Another woman reportedly obtained an order of protection against him just one month before Rivera’s death, while records show a third woman had sought protection from him in 2019.

Rivera’s family also said Harrison had previously made threats against her and her loved ones, leaving her fearful for their safety. Her sisters estimated that dozens of domestic violence calls involving Harrison had been made over the years at two of Rivera’s homes.

Despite the fear surrounding her, family members remembered Rivera as a devoted mother who worked long 12-hour shifts to provide for her five children and her mother. 🌷

“She loved her kids with her whole heart,” Fiudo said. “There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for them.”

Now, Rivera’s mother says she will help raise her daughter’s five children and carry forward the love Danielle gave them every day. 🕊️❤️