City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Contact: Public Information Office 512-974-5017 Email
Case: 20-2071411
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2020
Time: 9:51 p.m.
Location: 300 block of Congress Ave.
Deceased: Garrett Foster, White male, born 12-4-1991
On Saturday, July 25, 2020 at approximately 9:51 p.m., officers reported hearing two separate volleys of gunfire in the 300 block of Congress Avenue, during a protest march. Austin 911 also received multiple calls of shots fired in the same area. Officers observed the decedent, identified as Garrett Foster, with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers began resuscitation efforts until Austin Fire arrived on scene and took over. Austin-Travis County EMS transported Garrett Foster to Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas where he succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced deceased at 10:25 p.m.
Among the callers to Austin 911 was a subject who stated they had just been involved in a shooting and driven away from the scene. The caller stated they had shot someone who had approached their driver’s window and pointed a rifle at them. The caller was instructed to pull over and officers would be dispatched. Officers located and brought the caller to the homicide office to be interviewed. The handgun and vehicle were secured as evidence.
At the scene, officers spoke with multiple witnesses that described several different versions of the incident. Witnesses reported that a disturbance began when a vehicle started honking its horn as it turned southbound onto Congress from 4th St. The vehicle stopped as there were a large number of people in the roadway. Foster, who was holding an AK-47 type assault rifle, approached the driver’s side window as others in the crowd began striking the vehicle. Gunshots were fired from inside the vehicle at Foster.
Following the initial shooting, an individual, who heard the exchange of gunfire and observed the vehicle driving away from the crowd, drew their concealed handgun and fired multiple shots at the vehicle as it drove away. That subject was also brought to the homicide office to be interviewed. Foster’s rifle and the subject’s handgun were secured as evidence.
Homicide detectives and Crime Scene specialists arrived to process the scene. Detectives are reviewing available video, photos and witness statements to determine the precise actions of those involved. Both individuals have been released pending further investigation.
The Travis County Medical Examiner’s office will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death.
Detectives are asking anyone with video/photos of the incident to call APD Homicide at 512-974-TIPS (8477), email them at homicide.apd@austintexas.gov, use the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at 512-472-TIPS (8477) or use the Crime Stoppers App. You can also submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, free on iPhone and Android.