A motorist who shot and killed a protester with a rifle, and another protester who later shot at the motorist, were released Sunday as Austin, Texas police worked to rebuild the deadly mayhem.
Garrett Foster, 28, was fatally wounded when shots rang out during the Black Lives Matter march on Saturday night. Nearby police tried to resuscitate him but he died in the hospital.
“I saw his face. I don’t know how far he was from Garrett. I felt like I was there. She was trying to hold onto her life, “organizer and witness James Sasinowski told KXAN.
As protesters held a vigil near the scene of the shooting and began raising funds for Foster’s fiancee, a quadruple amputee who was also at the protest, Austin Police Chief Brian Manley gave an update on the investigation.
He said that when the car in question attempted to turn through the crowd, protesters started hitting the vehicle, and Foster, carrying an AK-47 style rifle, approached the driver’s side.
“His explanation is that Mr. Foster pointed the gun directly at him and fired his gun at Mr. Foster,” Manley said, although he noted that the police had been given different versions of what had happened.
As the driver rushed, another person in the crowd pulled out a pistol and opened fire on the vehicle, Manley said.
The motorist stopped a short distance away and said he had been involved in a shooting, and officers took him and the second gunman for questioning.
Police are consulting with prosecutors on possible charges and are asking that more witnesses present their account or a video of the confrontation. An autopsy for Foster is scheduled for Monday.
“We are heartbroken over the loss of Mr. Foster last night,” said Manley. “It is being actively investigated.”
Foster’s mother, Sheila, told ABC Good morning america that he and his fiancee, Whitney Mitchell, had participated in Austin’s anti-racism protests almost every night for the past two months.
She said that according to witnesses who spoke to her, she believes the driver was the assailant.
“Garrett was pushing Whitney through an intersection and this gentleman got out of his car and started shooting, and my son was shot three times,” he said.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler blamed the presence and prevalence of firearms.
“In a divided moment, three pistols were taken out, eight shots were fired and one protester died tragically,” he tweeted. “This is horrible as is all armed violence. There are too many weapons. Our city is shocked and, like so many in our community, I am heartbroken and dazed. ”
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