An 18-year-old Texas resident, identified as Chad Lee-Gardner, has been apprehended and charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a teenager at a high school graduation party. The tragic event unfolded in the early hours of a Sunday morning at a house on Rocky Road, located roughly 25 miles south of Austin, Texas.
The Uhland Police Department reported that officers were dispatched to the scene following a shooting report around 1 a.m. Preliminary investigations indicated that a dispute had erupted outside the residence, during which a firearm was discharged by an individual who absconded before the arrival of law enforcement.
Upon reaching the scene, officers found a 17-year-old male, later identified as Andrew Farias, who had sustained at least one gunshot wound. Farias was declared dead at the scene.
Late on Monday evening, with the help of the Texas Rangers, law enforcement officers located and apprehended Lee-Gardner in Austin. He was subsequently transported to and booked into the Travis County Jail.
Court records and witness testimonies shed more light on the events that led to the fatal shooting. Farias had graduated from San Marcos High School the day before and was celebrating at a party hosted by a family member. The party, which started around 10 p.m., was attended by over 100 people.
As the party was winding down around 1 a.m., a brawl broke out between two female attendees. During the altercation, Lee-Gardner allegedly hit Farias’ aunt in the head with a handgun. When Farias tried to intervene, Lee-Gardner reportedly fired two shots, at least one of which hit Farias.
The incident was reportedly recorded on video by at least one attendee, clearly identifying Lee-Gardner as the shooter. Farias’ girlfriend, Mariana De Luna, told local media that Farias died in her arms.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to cover Farias’ memorial expenses, raising nearly $20,000 of its $30,000 goal as of Thursday afternoon. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information or video from the night of the incident to contact the police.