AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a full pardon Thursday to former U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel Perry, who was convicted of murder for fatally shooting an armed demonstrator in 2020 during nationwide protests against police violence and racial injustice.

“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,” Gov. Abbott said. “I thank the Board for its thorough investigation, and I approve their pardon recommendation.”

Following the pardon, Travis County District Attorney José Garza released a statement saying, “The Board and the Governor have put their politics over justice and made a mockery of our legal system. They should be ashamed of themselves. “

Abbott announced the pardon just minutes after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles disclosed it had made a unanimous recommendation that Perry be pardoned and have his firearms rights restored. Perry has been held in state prison on a 25-year sentence since his conviction in 2023.

Daniel Perry shot and killed Garrett Foster from his car in downtown Austin in July 2020. While working for ridesharing giant Uber, Perry drove through a major demonstration in downtown Austin.

Protesters began pounding on his car, and Perry’s attorneys claimed that Foster, 28, pointed a weapon at him.

According to his lawyers, Perry fatally shot Foster in self-defense.

A Facebook live video captured part of the chaos. While the altercation itself was not visible, the audio recorded a car honking and gunshots afterwards.

The crowd erupted in screams and quickly dispersed, and later, police were seen attending to an injured individual.