A husband and wife killed by a gunman at a Walmart in El Paso both died protecting their 2-month-old son, according to family members.
Loved ones were notified about the death of Andre Anchondo on Sunday. The passing of his wife Jordan Anchondo had been confirmed in the hours after Saturday morning's attack left 20 people dead.
The El Paso couple were survived by three young children, including their baby who was with them at the shopping mall.
"Her husband was in front of the gunman to protect Jordan, and Jordan was protecting her baby," Jordan's cousin Monique Terry told the Guardian newspaper. "That explains who she was as a person _ she gave everything for her baby."
Andre and Jordan, who had been shopping for school supplies for their children, had just dropped off their 5-year-old daughter at cheerleading camp.
"She was the light of our family," Terry told the Guardian, referring to Jordan. "She brightened up the room. Her laugh was contagious. She always put you in a better mood ... She always saw the good in people."
Terry told the newspaper that the couple had recently celebrated their one-year anniversary and that they were a "perfect fit."
"They glued each other together," she said.
Koteiba "Koti" Azzam told The Associated Press that Andre had started his own business, building things from granite and stone. He added that his pal was a hard worker and was working to complete a home for his family.
"It makes you question your faith almost," said Azzam. "But God didn't have a part in it. The hands of man altered my friend's life in a drastic way."
