An 18-year-old Texas man, Chad Lee-Gardner, has been arrested and charged with murder following the fatal shooting of another teenager at a high school graduation party. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning at a residence on Rocky Road, approximately 25 miles south of Austin, Texas.
According to the Uhland Police Department, officers responded to a reported shooting at the residence around 1 a.m. The initial investigation revealed that an altercation had occurred outside the home, during which a firearm was discharged by an individual who fled the scene before police arrived.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a 17-year-old male, later identified as Andrew Farias, who had sustained at least one gunshot wound. Farias was pronounced dead at the scene.
Late Monday evening, with the assistance of the Texas Rangers, police located and arrested Lee-Gardner in Austin. He was subsequently transported to and booked into the Travis County Jail.
Court documents and witness statements provided further insight into the events leading up to the fatal shooting. Farias had graduated from San Marcos High School the previous day and was celebrating at a party hosted by a family member. The party, which began around 10 p.m., was attended by over 100 people.
As the party was winding down around 1 a.m., a fight broke out between two female attendees. During the altercation, Lee-Gardner allegedly struck Farias’ aunt in the head with a handgun. When Farias attempted to intervene, Lee-Gardner reportedly fired two shots, at least one of which struck Farias.
The incident was reportedly captured on video by at least one partygoer, 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 set up 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.