he first victim of the deadly mass shooting that rocked downtown Austin early Sunday morning has been publicly identified, as friends, family and community leaders mourn a promising young life cut tragically short.
Ryder Harrington, a Texas Tech Red Raider and member of his Fall 2024 Beta Theta Pi pledge class, was identified by loved ones in a GoFundMe created to support his family. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our brother, Ryder Harrington,” the fundraiser reads. Organizers described him as “a beloved son, brother, and friend” who “brought a light that was impossible to ignore.” They wrote that “if anyone embodied what it meant to live fully and love deeply, it was Ryder.”
Harrington’s older brother, Reed Harrington, said on social media that his younger brother was “the best mix” of their family. He wrote that it was “unfair, to say the least,” that his brother was given only 19 years of life. “Watching the man he had become and seeing all the lives he touched leaves me certain that this world was robbed of a great future,” he said.
In a statement, Speaker Dustin Burrows said Harrington’s death has hit especially close to home. Ryder was the brother-in-law of a member of his team, he said.
Ryder’s passing has hit especially close to home for our Team Burrows family. Ryder was the brother-in-law of one of our own, and our hearts are aching alongside his loved ones.
From all accounts, Ryder was exactly the kind of young man who made a difference without even… https://t.co/QAhfqaTk5Z
— Dustin Burrows (@Burrows4TX) March 2, 2026
“From all accounts, Ryder was exactly the kind of young man who made a difference without even trying—full of life, loyal to his friends, proud to be a Red Raider and a Texan, and someone who showed up for the people around him,” Burrows said. He added that he and his wife are praying for Ryder’s family and asked others across Texas to lift them up.
We are heartbroken over the passing of Ryder Harrington.
From everything shared by those who knew him, Ryder was a light, a beloved son, brother, and friend, and passionate member of the Red Raider community, who brought energy, kindness, and joy everywhere he went. The impact… pic.twitter.com/WXuzrDu6w8
— Barstool Longhorn (@UTBarstool) March 2, 2026
Social media tributes from Barstool Longhorn echoed the heartbreak, calling Harrington “a light” whose “energy, kindness, and joy” left a clear impact on the Texas Tech and Austin communities. The account shared a link to the GoFundMe, urging supporters to come together for the Harrington family.
Kent Hance, Chancellor Emeritus of the Texas Tech University System, spoke out on Monday morning in a fiery post on X.
“Ryder Harrington was murdered in Austin by a terrorist,” he said. “Ryder was an outstanding young man. I’ve talked to several people who knew him and everyone had nothing but praise for him and his character. May he rest in peace! Pray for his family.”
Ryder Harrington was murdered in Austin by a terrorist. Ryder was an outstanding young man. I’ve talked to several people who knew him and everyone had nothing but praise for him and his character. May he rest in peace! Pray for his family.
— Kent R. Hance (@KentRHance) March 2, 2026
In the very early hours of Sunday morning, a lone gunman opened fire outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden along the busy West Sixth Street strip, killing two people and injuring at least 14 others. Authorities say the suspect drove an SUV repeatedly around the block before switching on his hazard lights, rolling down his window and using a pistol to shoot patrons seated on the patio and standing outside the bar. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the gunman then parked, exited the vehicle and continued firing at people walking nearby.The suspect was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with responding officers.
The tragic shooting in Austin, Texas, has deeply shaken communities, particularly the Texas Tech University Red Raiders. Ryder Harrington, a 19-year-old student much loved by friends and fraternity brothers, lost his life in the incident. As one close friend poignantly shared, “He finally felt like he belonged.” This sentiment captures the essence of Ryder’s journey at Texas Tech, where he found a sense of home among peers—only for it to be cut short in a senseless act of violence on Austin’s vibrant West Sixth Street.
The incident unfolded early Sunday morning, just before 2 a.m., outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a popular spot for college-aged patrons near the University of Texas at Austin campus. A gunman opened fire on the crowded outdoor area, killing two people at the scene and injuring at least 14 others. A third victim later succumbed to injuries after being taken off life support. The suspect was fatally shot by responding officers. Authorities, including the FBI, are investigating the event as a possible act of terrorism, though the motive remains under review. The gunman was not previously on federal watchlists.
Ryder Harrington, originally from Austin, was confirmed as one of the victims by his father in a brief statement and later officially by police. He had been a student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where he was part of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity’s Fall 2024 pledge class. Though some reports note he was not enrolled in the current semester (having last attended in Fall 2025), his ties to the university and its community remained strong. Fraternity brothers remembered him as someone who “brought a light that was impossible to ignore” from the moment he joined. His energy, kindness, and generosity left a lasting impact—he was described as a beloved son, brother, friend, and a proud Red Raider with a bright future ahead.
The other victims included 21-year-old Savitha Shan, a student at the University of Texas at Austin, and 30-year-old Jorge Pederson, who passed away from his wounds on Monday. The attack left the Texas Tech and broader college communities in mourning, with tributes pouring in from university leaders, state officials, and online spaces.
Texas Tech University issued a statement expressing profound grief: “Our thoughts and prayers are with [the family] during this unimaginable time.” Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, whose staff includes a connection to the Harrington family (Ryder’s brother-in-law works there), posted a heartfelt message: “We are heartbroken over the passing of Ryder Harrington… Elisabeth and I are praying for Avery and Ryan, the entire Harrington family, and everyone who loved Ryder—the number appears to be countless.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the family, reflecting the outpouring of support.
Amid the grief, attention has turned to a short video Ryder reportedly filmed that day. Friends and community members have referenced this clip circulating in private circles or social media, said to capture moments from his final hours—perhaps showing him enjoying time with friends, smiling, and embodying the joy he brought to those around him. While details of the video’s content are not widely public (out of respect for the family and ongoing investigation), it has fueled conversations about cherishing fleeting moments and the randomness of tragedy. The video serves as a bittersweet reminder of Ryder’s vibrant spirit, reinforcing the friend’s words that he had finally found his place.
This event has sparked broader discussions on public safety in entertainment districts, gun violence, and national security concerns—especially given the terrorism probe. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis noted during a press conference that more information, potentially including body camera footage, may be released soon.
The Red Raider community, known for its tight-knit spirit, continues to rally. Memorials have appeared outside the bar, with flowers and notes honoring the victims. Ryder’s story— of a young man who felt truly at home among his chosen family—highlights the profound loss felt by all who knew him.
In times like these, the words of those closest resonate most deeply. Ryder Harrington was more than a statistic; he was a light extinguished too soon, leaving behind a legacy of belonging, kindness, and unbreakable bonds.
