Governor Greg Abbott of Texas issued a full pardon to Daniel Perry, a former US army sergeant convicted of murder for fatally shooting an armed demonstrator during the 2020 protests against police violence and racial injustice.

Abbott’s decision came shortly after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously recommended the pardon and the restoration of Perry’s firearms rights.

Perry, who had been serving a 25-year sentence since his 2023 conviction, was involved in the shooting of Garrett Foster, a 28-year-old Air Force veteran legally carrying an AK-47 at a Black Lives Matter protest.

Perry, working as a ride-share driver at the time, drove into a crowd of demonstrators and shot Foster, The Guardian reported.

Abbott had earlier directed the board to review Perry’s case and pledged to sign a pardon if recommended. Perry’s case had gained significant support from conservatives advocating for his release.

Written by B.C. Begley