Austin, Texas Police To Be Recognized For Heroism Following Mass Shooting
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Youth Peace And Justice Foundation
(Formerly The Uvalde Foundation For Kids)
March 4, 2026
National / Texas
National Nonprofit Formed After Uvalde, Texas Mass Shooting to Honor Austin Officers Cleared in Terror Attack Response; Financial Grant to Accompany Recognition
AUSTIN, TX — The Youth Peace And Justice Foundation—the national nonprofit organization formed in the immediate aftermath of the 2022 mass shooting in Uvalde—announced today that it will formally recognize the officers of the Austin Police Department who fatally stopped a gunman during the March 1 terror attack in Austin.
The announcement follows a public statement by José Garza, District Attorney for Travis County, confirming that his office will not seek charges against the responding officers. The DA’s decision came amid public scrutiny over a 2021 policy requiring all officer-involved shootings and serious use-of-force incidents to be presented to a grand jury for review.
On March 1, officers responded to an active shooting at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on West 6th Street, where the suspect, identified as Ndiaga Diagne, opened fire. Three victims—Savitha Shan, 21; Jorge Pederson, 30; and 19-year-old Ryder Harrington—were killed in the attack. Officers engaged and fatally shot the suspect, preventing further loss of life.
In his public remarks, DA Garza stated: “These officers are heroes, and it should go without saying that my office is not seeking any charges and would not seek charges.”
The Foundation stated that the officers’ swift and coordinated action, many of whom were working overtime assignments at the time, demonstrated a level of crisis response that departments nationwide would benefit from studying.
“What occurred in Austin was a textbook example of decisive, coordinated intervention under extreme pressure,” said Daniel Chapin, Founder of the Youth Peace And Justice Foundation. “The officers acted quickly, neutralized the threat, and prevented what could have become an even greater massacre. Their response reflects disciplined training and compassion for the lives they were sworn to protect.”
The Youth Peace And Justice Foundation will present its National Award for Service and Courage to the responding officers in an upcoming ceremony in Texas with date/time TBD. Foundation officials have advised the department of the award as of the date of this release.
In addition, the Foundation will provide a financial grant to the Austin Police Department. The grant is intended to support:
* Officer trauma and mental health services
* Advanced coordinated active-threat training
* Community-based violence prevention engagement initiatives
Foundation officials emphasized that recognition must be paired with tangible support for the personnel who respond to violent crises.
“Officers today operate in environments where scrutiny, danger, and hesitation intersect,” Chapin stated. “We support transparency and lawful review processes. At the same time, we believe courage and effective life-saving action deserve to be affirmed. The men and women who stopped this attack embodied the standard of preparedness and humanity that communities depend on.”
Formed after the tragedy in Uvalde, the Youth Peace And Justice Foundation works nationwide to support victims of violence, establish living memorials through its Trees for Peace initiative, advocate for responsible violence intervention models, and recognize acts of heroism in moments of crisis.
“Our commitment remains unchanged,” Chapin added. “We honor the victims. We support accountability. And when officers perform with integrity and decisive courage, we ensure the nation sees that as well.”
The Foundation’s reward program celebrates individuals and departments nationwide who choose action over apathy, including:
* Tricia Asselin (Posthumous): A victim of the Lewiston, Maine mass shooting who was honored for her heroic efforts to save others during the tragedy.
* Abby Zwerner: The Newport News teacher recognized for her heroic efforts to protect her students after being shot in her classroom.
* Nashville Metro Police Department: Officers honored for their swift response to the Covenant School shooting
* Pittsburgh Bureau of Police: Recognized for thwarting a potential attack at University Preparatory School..
Media Contact:
Jennifer West
Youth Peace & Justice Foundation
254-499-8027
Charity ID: 88-3268749
