UT students, community gather to hold vigil for victims of shooting

University of Texas students gathered on Wednesday evening to honor fellow student, 21-year-old Savitha Shan, as well as the two others shot and killed in Sunday morning's mass shooting at Buford's on West Sixth Street in Austin. The vigil brought the UT community together to remember the three victims—Shan, 19-year-old Ryder Harrongton and 30-year-old Jorge Pederson—and honor those victims recovering from injuries.

Around 300 people gathered on the Main Mall to pray, listen to speakers from Student Government and lay flowers on the Tower steps. University of Texas students and community members held a candlelight vigil to remember and pray for the three people shot and killed, including UT student Savitha Shan, in Sunday morning’s mass shooting on West Sixth Street in Austin, March 4, 2026.

University of Texas Student Body President Hudson Thomas and Vice President Thierry Chu spoke to the gathered crowd. University of Texas President Jim Davis greeted attendees. The UT Brass Quintet performed on the steps of main hall.

Students Giselle Hoang and Bhuvi Sanghavi held hands during the vigil. MBA student Josh Albert held a candle while waiting for programming to begin. Junior finance major Graham Young prayed during the event. Flowers were laid on the steps of the University of Texas Tower as part of the remembrance.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

March 4, 2026