Daniel Perry: Outrage as Greg Abbott pardons ex-soldier convicted of fatally shooting BLM protester

AUSTIN, TEXAS: A former US Army sergeant who was found guilty of fatally shooting an armed Black Lives Matter demonstrator in 2020 was pardoned by Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday, May 16.

After serving a tour in Afghanistan, Daniel Perry shot and killed Garrett Foster, 28, as he drove into an Austin protest. Perry said he was responding in self-defense. Perry received a 25-year prison term after being found guilty of murder last year.

Daniel Perry had his rights to firearms restored

Shortly after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously recommended that the veteran be pardoned and have his rights to firearms restored, Abbott announced the pardon.

“Texas has one of the strongest ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws of self-defense that cannot be nullified by a jury or a progressive District Attorney,” Abbott said in a statement. “I thank the Board for its thorough investigation, and I approve their pardon recommendation,” according to New York Post.

Prior to this, the Republican governor had declared he would grant a pardon if the board, which he appointed, recommended it. The former soldier drove into the packed July 25, 2020 protest while working for a ride-sharing company.

He was stationed at Fort Hood, which is located roughly 70 miles north of the Texas capitol. After a few demonstrators started pelting his car, Perry took out a handgun and shot Foster, an Air Force veteran who was lawfully carrying an AK-47.

After that, Perry drove away from the scene.

Daniel Perry's social media history painted him racist

Perry's attorneys stated that before Perry pointed the gun at the sergeant, Foster, a white man, had motioned for Perry, a white man, to lower his window, which Perry had complied with because he thought Perry was a law enforcement official.

According to the defense, he was forced to fire. He could have driven away without drawing his gun, according to the prosecution.

Testimony from witnesses stated that Foster never pointed a gun at Perry—instead he was pushing his fiancee, who is black and quadruple amputee.

Perry's text messages and social media history were used by the state to paint him as a racist who might carry out violent acts once more. After deliberating for two days, the jury found him guilty.

Internet has mixed reaction to Governor Greg Abbott's pardon

As soon as the news went viral on platform X, users started sharing their opinions. One wrote, "Greg Abbott's message could not be clearer: Marching for Black lives in Texas is a crime punishable by death."

Another user added, "I’m so glad I don’t live in Texas anymore. I was lucky to get out of there in 1991. You pardon a hard core criminal yet no accountability for the negligence of the Officers in Uvalde that stood around 77 minutes while children were slaughtered and teachers."

They went on to say, "77 minutes of sheer hell bleeding out after calling 911 and no one helped. That child called begging for help. How do you sleep at night? I hope there’s a hell because there’ll be a special place waiting for you. You’ve got blood on your hands."

Third commentator wrote, "Just be honest, you pardoned him because you hate people who don’t think like you."

"So he was standing his ground? Insane justification for someone who is likely to do it again. Shame on you," one person remarked.

A commentator criticized governor saying, "Your statement means nothing .. you let a killer free. It makes me sick to my stomach. I really don’t know how you sleep at night with all the hate that’s in you."

There was also a huge section of people who thanked Abbott for doing this. One wrote, "A hero pardons a hero. God Bless you."

One person thanked governor saying, "Thank you governor. Daniel Perry did nothing wrong by standing his ground."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.