\n \u201cThese were young people with their whole lives ahead of them,\u201d said Buford\u2019s Backyard Beer Garden<\/a>, near the site of the shootings.\n <\/p>\n \n Another 13 people were injured in the attack early Sunday morning, including several University of Texas at Austin students, the school\u2019s president said.\n <\/p>\n \n While the motive remains uncertain, investigators are digging into whether the suspect, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne<\/a>, was spurred by recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n The anguish quickly spread across the country, as loved ones from Texas to Minnesota grieve the loss of three promising young lives. Here\u2019s what we know about the victims:\n <\/p>\n \n Ryder Harrington was a vivacious 19-year-old who made every day brighter for those around him, family and friends said.\n <\/p>\n \n His sister, Reagan Harrington, paid tribute to her \u201cbest friend\u201d on Instagram.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cWe 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,\u201d she wrote<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019m not sure how we\u2019re meant to work through this \u2014 all I can think about is seeing you again.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n Ryder\u2019s brother Reed Harrington said, it was unfair \u201cthat my little brother was only given 19 years on this earth.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cWatching the man he had become, and seeing all the lives he touched, leaves me certain that this world was robbed of a great future,\u201d Reed posted on Facebook<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n In an open letter to his slain brother, Reed thanked Ryder for \u201cbeing the best brother I could ever ask for.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cI love you more than you will ever know,\u201d he wrote. \u201cNo matter how old you get, or how much taller than me you are, you will always be my little brother.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n Ryder Harrington was a student at Texas Tech University last fall, the school said, in a statement shared with CNN affiliate KCBD<\/a>. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi at Texas Tech, the chapter said.\n <\/p>\n \n Harrington \u201chad a rare ability to truly enjoy life to make people laugh, to make moments feel bigger, and to make ordinary days unforgettable,\u201d the fraternity posted on Instagram<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cHe made the world around him better simply by being in it.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n Savitha Shan was just two months away from graduating from UT Austin and already had a distinguished job lined up, according to her LinkedIn profile and a professor.\n <\/p>\n \n Shan, 21, was \u201cone of our superstar students at the UT Austin McCombs school of business,\u201d professor Russ Finney<\/a> wrote on X.\n <\/p>\n \n She \u201cwas set to graduate this May, and then she was on to start her career at a big professional services firm,\u201d Finney wrote.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cShe was a double major with honors. Involved in student organizations – a light in the classroom. Absolutely crushing to lose her.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n UT Austin President Jim Davis said Shan was \u201ca loyal friend to many.\u201d\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cIt is devastating, and I know all of us are grieved by this horrible news and we will remember her,\u201d Davis wrote in a statement<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n He said several other UT Austin students were injured in the shooting, some with \u201cvery serious\u201d injuries.\n <\/p>\n \n A community vigil is scheduled for Tuesday evening, the university\u2019s Students Demand Action chapter said.\n <\/p>\n \n Jorge Pederson was a respected fighter and fought until the end.\n <\/p>\n \n The 30-year-old was mortally wounded Sunday and died Monday after he was taken off life support, CNN affiliate KVUE<\/a> reported.\n <\/p>\n \n The MMA fighter from Minnesota was \u201cvery funny and a genuinely nice guy,\u201d said Matthew Vogt, co-owner of Med City Fighting Championships.\n <\/p>\n \n Pederson wasn\u2019t just \u201con point in regard to fighting,\u201d Vogt told CNN. He also brought humor and personality to the sport.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cWe adored him. He made us laugh constantly,\u201d Vogt said.\n <\/p>\n \n Pederson\u2019s personality was so infectious that \u201cImmediately after meeting him, both owners and people that work our events all immediately loved him,\u201d Med City Fighting Championships<\/a> wrote on Facebook.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cHe was a fantastic fighter. One of our favorite people to interact with, throughout the years of our existence,\u201d the organization said. \u201cOur condolences to all of his friends and family. It was an honor to have known him.\u201d\n <\/p>\n ![\"Ryder](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/c-ryder-harrington.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Savitha](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/c-485254453-989930676018184-4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Those](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/jorgepederson2.JPG\")
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