At least three people — including the suspected gunman — are dead following a shooting early Sunday in downtown Austin, officials said. Fourteen others were injured.
The suspected shooter has been identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, according to The Associated Press and other media outlets, citing anonymous sources.
The motive of the suspected gunman, who has not been officially named by authorities, is still unclear. But Alex Doran, acting special agent in charge of FBI San Antonio, said that there were “indicators” of a “potential nexus to terrorism,” but did not provide any details. He added that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force as well as its other specialty teams are involved in the investigation.
During the shooting, Diagne wore a sweatshirt with “Property of Allah” written across the front and a shirt with an Iranian flag design, according to the AP. Citing anonymous sources briefed on the investigation, the news organization also said Diagne was originally from Senegal and came to the U.S. in 2006 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has also been directed to ramp up patrols and add law enforcement personnel in the area during weekends, Gov. Greg Abbott said in a news release. He also referenced in the statement the escalating strikes in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli bombings in Iran over the weekend, though law enforcement has not explicitly said that was a motive in the Austin shooting. A day earlier, the governor said he has directed DPS and the Texas National Guard to increase surveillance and patrols at critical sites — such as energy facilities, ports, and southern border — in a statement on the US strikes against Iranian.
“To anyone who thinks about using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texans or our critical infrastructure, understand this clearly: Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state,” the governor said on Sunday.
There is so far no public indication that the suspected gunman wanted to target key infrastructure.
The first call about the shooting at Buford’s, a popular beer garden, came in just before 2 a.m.
A large SUV drove around the block several times prior to the shooting, according to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis. She said the suspected gunman then rolled down his windows and began shooting out of his car with a pistol, striking patrons at the bar. He then switched to a rifle after parking and exiting his vehicle and continued shooting, according to Davis.
Paramedics and police officers responded to the call within a minute, coming over from East 6th Street which hosts the city’s busiest entertainment district.
At the scene, police fatally shot the suspected gunman, Davis said.
Fourteen people were also transported to the hospital, according to Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz. Among them, three were in critical condition.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said the shooting has “brought significant trauma” to the city. He also praised the rapid response by police and rescuers.
“There is no question in my mind that the quick response of the police officers and of our EMS personnel and most professionals made a difference and saved lives,” he said.
‘No one should ever have to see that’
The victims’ identities have not been released. Though Jim Davis, president of the University of Texas at Austin, said the campus community is feeling the impact of the shooting.
“Our prayers are with the victims and all those impacted, including members of our Longhorn family, and my heart goes out to their families, friends, classmates, professors, and loved ones,” Davis said in a statement.
“I want to express my gratitude to the first responders and medical teams whose actions helped protect and save lives. I also want to thank the dedicated counselors and staff members in our Dean of Students Office who have been communicating with families and students, visiting those injured in hospitals, and providing care and support throughout the day.”
Kelson Lee, 25, was about a block away from Buford’s on West 6th Street when he said he heard around six gunshots. He walked inside to look for a friend.
“I see about seven to eight bodies on the floor,” Lee told the Austin Current. “No one should ever have to see that … Makes me really sad. Those are people who are brothers and sisters, who have mothers and fathers.”
Lee said first responders arrived shortly after he did. Videos he shared show medics, police officers and bystanders rushing to help victims, some administering CPR.
“I kind of blacked out, froze up. I felt kind of helpless because I wanted to help people,” Lee said. “Something compelled me to start recording … people need to see the actual impact of this.”
Lawmakers react
Austin City Council Member Zo Qadri, who represents Austin’s downtown, said he is still in disbelief over the news.
“There are still folks identifying victims and looking for loved ones,” he said. “It’s just a gut punch and for myself and so many others.”
At the same time, politicians at all levels have called for prayers for the victims and appreciation for the first responders.
“We stand with the victims. We stand with their families. And we stand firmly for law, order, and the safety of every Texan,” Dustin Burrows, the Republican Speaker of the Texas House, said in a post on X.
The Texas House Democrats representing the Austin area shared a similar message in their statement. The group, as well as Democrats in Congress, including U.S. Reps. Greg Casar and Lloyd Doggett, also denounced gun violence.
“We must end America’s gun violence epidemic,” Casar said in a post on X. “Americans should be able to have fun at a bar without it turning into an unspeakable nightmare like this one— and I will redouble my efforts in Congress to prevent the next tragedy like this.”
Meanwhile, Republicans have focused their responses on Islamic extremism and immigration.
“Allowing unvetted immigrants who are hostile to America, who are loyal to our adversaries like Iran, must end. This was an act of terror, James,” Abbott said in a post on X in response to a comment made by state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin. “The way to end it is to end the current open immigration policies. You and your immigration policies would make America less safe.”
Talarico retorted in a subsequent post: “Dangerous people should not be allowed into the country. Dangerous people should not be allowed to get guns. Texans understand this — you apparently don’t.”
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