Yesterday our community gathered to celebrate the life of Ryder Harrington, a 19-year-old Texas Tech student whose life was tragically cut short in the early morning hours of March 1, 2026, at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on Sixth Street.
Ryder lived in a nearby neighborhood, and many of us knew his family. In the days following the tragedy, our streets quietly filled with red ribbons tied around the trees, a simple but powerful way to honor Ryder and show the Harrington family how deeply their loss is felt.
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Ryder was the youngest of four boys and had recently been home to celebrate his brother’s wedding just last month. My own granddaughter was home for that wedding in February and returned again this past week to attend Ryder’s Celebration of Life. She had worked at Buford’s during summers while home from college, a place that had long been a favorite gathering spot for locals and UT students alike.
It was an unbelievably sad day for so many. Ryder was known as an amazing young man whose life touched countless friends and family. Our hearts are with the Harrington family as they face a loss no family should ever endure.
Please keep the Harrington family. and the families of all those affected by last weekend’s tragedy in Austin, in your prayers. May the love of this community bring some measure of comfort in the days ahead.
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