Collin County disability rights advocate: ‘Autism does not cause an individual to commit murder’

Autism advocates are standing up to let the public know that individuals afflicted with the developmental disability are not generally prone to violence after a man who described himself as autistic on Facebook was accused of kidnapping and murdering a 7-year-old girl.

According to Fox News, Tanner Lynn Horner is accused of kidnapping and murdering Athena Strand, who was abducted from the driveway of her family’s home in Paradise, Texas, and found two days later a few miles from the property. 

Dylan Rafaty, a Collin County disability rights advocate, took to social media after it was reported by Heavy.com that Horner described himself as “autistic as ligma” on his Instagram account.

“I want to be clear. Autism does not cause an individual to commit murder,” Rafaty posted on Twitter. “Extending my deepest condolences and prayers to the Athena Strand family.”

According to the Heavy.com report, Horner’s self-description went on to describe himself as “aspie. non-neurotypical. musician. metalhead. love is stupid and not to mention completely asinine” on his Facebook page and “Vocalist of commit and conquer” on Instagram.

Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin noted on Heavy.com that Horner, a driver for FedEx, made a delivery in the neighborhood at the same time the girl turned up missing and he is to be charged in her homicide, according to the report.

According to the website, Horner did not have any ties to the girl or her family.