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The city of Austin is once again saying his name through tears: Ryder Harrington. He was 19 years old. A college student. A brother. A son. And, to those who knew him, the kind of young man who filled any room with his energy.
The shooting unfolded around 2 a.m. outside Buford's Backyard Beer Garden in the heart of the West Sixth Street bar district. Police confirmed that the gunman, identified as Ndiaga Diagne, opened fire before being shot and killed by officers. The toll: three dead and 14 injured.
Among those killed were Harrington and Savitha Shan, a student at the University of Texas at Austin.
Who is Ryder Harrington?
Ryder was a 19-year-old student at Texas Tech University. A native of Austin, he had joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity last fall.
His death prompted an outpouring of grief online, especially from his family.
His older brother, Reed Harrington, shared a heartbreaking message on Facebook:
"It's unfair, to say the least, that my little brother was only given 19 years on this earth. 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.
His sister Reagan also mourned him on Instagram:
"My best friend. I can't believe you aren't here with me right now", she wrote. "I will never be the same and no relationship will ever compare to ours. We understood each other in a way that no one else quite could, and everyone who knew us knew that we were partners in crime in everything. I'm not sure how we're meant to work through this - all I can think about is seeing you again
A Life That Touched Many
Beta Theta Pi created a GoFundMe page in his honor, describing him as a "beloved son, brother, and friend."
"Harrington's kindness and presence touched countless lives. From the moment he joined our brotherhood, he brought a light that was impossible to ignore."
By Monday afternoon, the fundraiser had raised more than $90,000.
Condolences also poured in from state political circles. On X, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows noted that Harrington was the brother-in-law of a member of his team and asked for prayers for the family. He described him as 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.
The fraternity announced it will hold a candlelight vigil in his honor on Monday at 8 p.m. at 1410 Orlando Ave. in Lubbock. He was one of four siblings. A student. A loyal friend. And, as his brother wrote, "the best brother."