Man who was shot, killed during protest in downtown Austin has been identified

Mother of 28-year-old killed in Austin protest says he carried a rifle for safety

Garrett Foster was fatally shot by a man driving through the protest.

AUSTIN, Texas - A 28-year-old man was fatally shot at a protest in downtown Austin Saturday night. The man was shot and killed when he approached a vehicle and the driver inside opened fire, according to police.

The shooting happened during a protest against police brutality in the Texas state capitol. Demonstrators from multiple social justice organizations were taken part in the protests on Saturday, July 25.

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One person shot and killed during Austin protest

Footage from a livestream filmed by independent journalist Hiram Gilberto captured the moment gunshots rang out. A person can be seen lying on the ground, being tended to by police. Credit: Hiram Gilberto via Storyful

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The shots were fired a little before 10 p.m. within the 300 block of Congress Avenue, according to APD. Prior to the shooting, a vehicle drove up to protesters and honked its horn. The driver and several witnesses told police that the victim pointed an assault rifle at the driver.

The driver shot the victim, drove away, and later called 911. The suspect has been detained and is cooperating, according to the Austin Police Department.

The man was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Austin Police Chief Brian Manley has identified the victim as 28-year-old Garrett Foster.

A second round of shots was fired by protesters who witnessed the shooting, Manley said. The shooter fired at the car while it drove away. That person was also taken into custody but later released, Manley said.

In an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America," Sheila Foster identified the man who was shot as her son, Garrett Foster. She said he had been a regular at the protests with his fiancee. "They've been participating in these protests almost every day for the past 50 days," she said.

Sheila Foster said she was told her son was pushing his fiancee, who uses a wheelchair, through an intersection when the suspect was driving "erratically" through the crowd. She said she was told the driver shot her son three times.

A vigil was held for Garrett Foster in downtown Austin on Sunday night.