A grieving mother in Uhland says the justice system has failed her after the man charged in her son's killing had his bond cut not once but twice, leaving her afraid he could be free again. Andrew Farias, 18, was shot and killed outside a home in Uhland just hours after graduating from San Marcos High School, and his family has spent months pushing for answers. His mother, Shannon Vasquez, told reporters the reductions felt like losing her child all over again.
Mother Says Bond Was Slashed Twice
According to FOX 7 Austin, the bond for 18-year-old Chad Lee-Gardner was originally set at $1 million and later reduced, first to $350,000, then to $200,000. Vasquez told FOX 7 Austin she was never informed of the reductions and said the changes left her terrified Lee-Gardner could post bond and return to the community.
Investigators Describe a Chaotic Night
Investigators say more than 100 people attended the graduation party and that the homeowner began asking guests to leave around 1 a.m., when a fight between two girls broke out. Court documents and witness statements reviewed by Law&Crime say Lee-Gardner allegedly struck Farias' aunt with a pistol, and that Farias was shot after stepping in to intervene.
Arrest and Charge
Authorities located Lee-Gardner in Austin and, with assistance from the Texas Rangers, took him into custody. He was booked into the Travis County Jail on a murder charge, according to reporting by KXAN. Prosecutors have not yet publicly detailed any upcoming hearings tied to the bond reductions.
What the Law Says About Bail Reductions
Texas law requires judges to give the attorney representing the state "reasonable notice" and an opportunity for a hearing before reducing bail in many violent cases, per Article 17.091 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Victims who say they were not notified can ask prosecutors or courts for clarity about why a reduction was granted.
Community Remembers the Graduate
Friends, teammates, and family held a vigil that drew the San Marcos community together to remember Farias as a smiling football player headed to Texas State, and a GoFundMe to help the family raised thousands, according to earlier coverage on a GoFundMe to help the family. Relatives say they are still seeking video and witnesses that could shed light on the night.
"I'm angry because my child doesn't get another chance at life," Vasquez told FOX 7 Austin. It was not immediately clear when the next hearing in Lee-Gardner's case will be scheduled, and local officials did not immediately respond to media requests for comment.
