Latest news with #Uhland
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Texas high schooler reveals last thing his friend, 18, did before he was tragically killed at graduation party
A Texas teen was shot and killed less than 24 hours after he marked one of the most important milestones in a young person's life. Andrew Farias, 18, was tragically killed on May 25 at around 1:00am after a fight between two girls escalated into a shootout in Uhland. Farias had graduated from San Marcos High School on May 23 and attended a graduation party the following day. 'I had just, you know, watched him walk the stage online. You know, it was everybody - my whole family - we cheered for him when he walked the stage. We were so proud of him,' said Lorenzo Martinez, a friend of the teen. 'He wanted to continue his education. He wanted to get his degree and be successful in his life. And, you know, now he doesn't have the chance to do that.' At around 1:00am, a homeowner identified as Farias' aunt asked everyone to leave the party before two girls began fighting, according to court documents obtained by Fox 7. A witness said the girls began to argue because a group were 'making faces' and talking about other girls at the party. Farias's aunt tried to break up the altercation before one party-goer, later identified as 18-year-old Chad Lee-Gardner, 'jumped in' and struck her on the head with a handgun. Farias then tried to intervene before Lee-Gardner allegedly fired two shots, striking Farias at least once, Law & Crime reported. 'Me seeing him fall to the ground was the hardest thing,' Mariana De Luna, Farias's girlfriend, told KEYE. 'The last thing he did was grab my fingers. I'm glad her knew I was with him till the very end.' The shooter fled the scene before police arrived, but within 24 hours, Lee-Gardner was arrested in Austin and charged with murder. The incident was reportedly recorded by at least one partygoer which allegedly shows Lee-Gardner as the shooter. Farias's mother, Shannon Vasquez, told CBS News through tears: 'My Andrew, that was my baby. He had the biggest smile. He was such a loving, responsible, and hardworking baby.' Farias had plans to attend Texas State University in the fall to study construction engineering. The teen also played for the San Marcos High School Rattlers football team. His final jersey number, black 13, was officially retired during a vigil on Tuesday, CBS reported. 'That black 13 was the last jersey Andrew wore,' said Coach Carroll. 'And he will be the last to wear it.' A GoFundMe said Farias was a 'cherished son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend.' 'He was a light in our lives - always smiling, full of love, compassion, and kindness. His presence brought warmth to everyone around him, and his absence leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.' Vasquez said in a statement to KVUE: 'No words can describe this pain I'm feeling. I lost my best friend. I love all my children but Andrew held a special place in my heart. Everyone knew us, knew he was nothing more than a momma's boy. 'My baby boy was the light of the room. He was always so positive and a drama-free kid. He avoided any confrontation. He had so many dreams ahead of him and always said, "Momma, I'm going to get us out the hood. I'm going to make you so proud Momma." He was an amazing big and little brother. He loved his siblings and his stepdad. 'Everyone knew him for his big smile. He smiled at everyone and everything. He was a busy body and just wanted to enjoy life.' Martinez said Farias was 'the light that everybody needed in this dark world.' 'And, unfortunately, God thought it was his time. But we all know that it wasn't,' Martinez added. 'He had so much potential and it was taken by a random act of violence.' Uhland Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and Lee-Gardner was booked in the Travis County Jail. Vasquez told CBS: 'He doesn't deserve to get the death penalty and get put away form his misery, but I do want him to think about what he's done. 'My son did not deserve this.'
Fox News
28-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
High school graduate shot dead at Texas party after confronting armed teen
A fight between two girls at a Texas high school graduation party left one graduate dead, authorities said. Andrew Farias, 18, was killed during the dispute at a home in the Austin suburb of Uhland, Fox 7 reported. Uhland police officers and Texas Rangers responded to the home May 25 amid reports of a shooting. The homeowner told authorities guests were told to leave around 1 a.m., when a fight broke out between two girls. A witness told Texas Rangers the fight started because girls were "making faces" and talking about other girls, according to an affidavit obtained by the news outlet. During the dispute, Chad Lee-Gardner, 18, jumped in and allegedly hit the female homeowner with a pistol on the head. Farias attempted to confront Lee-Gardner, who allegedly opened fire two times and struck Farias. Farias, who played cornerback and running back for his high school football team, later died. Lee-Gardner fled before officers arrived, but he was later taken into custody in Austin on suspicion of murder, police said. Farias graduated from San Marcos High School just over 24 hours before the shooting. He planned to attend Texas State University in August, his family said.
