An active-duty Army sergeant identified himself as the man who shot a Black Lives Matter protester in Austin, Texas, last week.
Daniel Perry acted in self-defense when he shot Garrett Foster during the protests, according to a statement from his attorneys that was obtained by the Washington Post. Perry’s attorneys said that he was driving for a ride-sharing program when his vehicle was swarmed by protesters.
When Foster approached the vehicle while carrying an AK-47-style weapon, Perry believed he was a member of law enforcement and agreed to roll down the window when Foster ordered him to do so. He quickly realized that Foster was not law enforcement.
“After rolling down the window, it became apparent to Sgt. Perry that the individual with the assault rifle was not with law enforcement. It has now been confirmed by several witnesses that this individual with the assault rifle then began to raise the assault rifle toward Sgt. Perry. It was only then that Sgt. Perry, who carried a handgun in his car for his own protection while driving strangers in the ride share program, fired on the person to protect his own life,” the attorneys said in the statement.
After shooting at Foster, other protesters began shooting at Perry’s vehicle, prompting him to speed away from the scene. Foster called 911 as soon as he was out of reach of the protesters.
“Sgt. Perry and his family deeply sympathize with the loss and grief being experienced by Mr. Foster’s family. Sgt. Perry is devastated by what happened. Nevertheless, that does not change facts. The simple fact is that Sgt. Perry reasonably perceived a threat to his life when, as has now been confirmed by independent witnesses, Mr. Foster raised his assault rifle toward Sgt. Perry who was sitting in his car,” the attorneys wrote.
“We simply ask that anybody who might want to criticize Sgt. Perry’s actions, picture themselves trapped in a car as a masked stranger raises an assault rifle in their direction and reflect upon what they might have done if faced with the split second decision faced by Sgt. Perry that evening,” they added.
Perry has served in the Army for eight years, including one deployment to Afghanistan. He was working for the ride-sharing program to earn extra money. He said he was not aware of the protests taking place when he was driving last weekend.
Perry was released from jail on Monday because officers believed he acted in self-defense. The incident is still under investigation.
