A deacon in Mississippi was shot and killed while trying to protect children at an Easter egg hunt Saturday afternoon.

Deacon Eddie Shed, who was also the head of security at Empowerment Ministries Christian Center, died from gunshot wounds after he intervened in an argument that police describe as a “child custody dispute.”

Witnesses say Shed jumped into action to protect the children present at the family Easter egg hunt at Jack and Florence Goldin Park.

“I wouldn’t expect nothing less from him to do something like that, nothing less. He was just a hero,” longtime church member Shatondria Ball said.