Jorge Pederson, a 30-year-old mixed martial arts fighter from Minnesota, was the third victim killed in a mass shooting at a bar in Austin, Texas. He had recently moved there to pursue his professional career and a new job. Teammates and coaches describe him as dedicated, kind, and humorous.
Jorge Pederson, 30, a native of Minnesota, died on Monday after being shot during an early morning incident at Buford’s Bar on West Sixth Street in Austin. Police reported that 18 people were shot around 2 a.m. on Sunday, with Pederson taken off life support at a local hospital. He had just relocated from Minnesota to Austin for a job and to advance his MMA career, planning his professional debut in May.
Pederson trained at The Academy in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, where he was known for his strong work ethic and positive personality. Coach Andy Grahn, who managed the gym, recalled Pederson's commitment: “He showed up six days a week, one to two hours a day.” Grahn also noted his humor: “Jorge was always winking and smiling, and always had jokes and [was] always coming up with a plan to make a viral video.” He added, “Jorge brought the comedy and the fun to the hard training, and the guys loved that. They really miss him.”
Teammate Mac Kukowski described their training sessions: “We could be beating the absolute crap out of each other for, you know, 25 minutes straight, but at the end, it's a smile and a hug and always a laugh.” Head coach Greg Nelson called the news a “gut punch,” saying, “Oh, Jorge is here, it's gonna be fun! He's gonna work super hard, but then he's gonna do something that's gonna just lighten the mood and just crack everybody up.”
Pederson had previously owned a moving business that employed other athletes and was set to fight his first professional bout with guidance from 10th Planet Austin coach Angel Cruz. He planned to split training between Austin and Minnesota, returning monthly. Grahn reflected, “Everything was in front of him. He was starting a new adventure, and had all this stuff going for him, and it's just gone. It's just senseless.”
A fundraiser has been started for Pederson's family and funeral expenses. Memorials have appeared outside the bar, and The Academy plans a celebration of his life on March 22. Coaches believe a friend held his hand as he passed, and Grahn said, “I’m sure he held on.”
