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.

Andrew Farias was fatally shot during a graduation party in Uhland, Texas on May 25, 2025. Fox 7 Austin/YouTube
Police tape surrounds the home in Uhland, Texas where the fatal shooting took place. Fox 7 Austin/YouTube

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. Fox 7 Austin/YouTube
Chad Lee-Gardner was arrested in Austin and charged with murder. Fox 7 Austin/YouTube

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. 

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