Chilling bodycam footage has captured the harrowing moment police officers confronted and neutralised a gunman who opened fire on a crowded bar in Austin, Texas, in an incident that left three people dead and more than a dozen injured. The alleged shooter, identified as Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old U.S. citizen originally from Senegal and a former New York City resident, was killed at the scene during the early hours of Sunday morning.
Bodycam Footage Reveals Chaotic Scene
In the footage from a responding officer's body-worn camera, panicked patrons are seen fleeing the scene and taking shelter behind vehicles as the gunman ran rampant outside Burford's bar on West Sixth Street. The officer, with his weapon drawn, approached Diagne before firing four shots, immobilising him after he continued to discharge his firearm. "Where is he? Where is he?" the officer urgently asked witnesses before announcing that shots had been fired. He then declared, "The suspect is down... Stop moving! Stop moving! Don't move."
Diagne was seen lying on the ground with a rifle nearby, wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the phrase "Property of Allah." Video showed him rolling away from his weapon before lying motionless on the road. Police confirmed that officers fatally shot him during the confrontation.
Potential Terrorism Nexus Investigated
FBI officials stated at a press conference on Sunday that materials found on the gunman and in his possessions indicated a potential nexus to terrorism. Sources revealed that authorities discovered a Quran in Diagne's car and, during a search of his home, photos of Iranian leaders and an Iranian flag. This comes just one day after deadly airstrikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel, which resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, though it remains unclear if the shooting was directly connected.
Alex Doran, the acting agent in charge of the FBI's San Antonio office, noted that while a clear motive has not been established, "indicators" found on the gunman and in his vehicle have prompted an investigation into terrorism possibilities. Diagne had a history of arrests, including for illegal vending in New York City in 2001 and a series of arrests from 2008 to 2016, with three sealed cases, according to reports. Despite this, he became a naturalised U.S. citizen in April 2013.
Victims Remembered in Tragic Aftermath
The three individuals killed in the shooting have been identified as Ryder Harrington, 19; Savitha Shan, 21; and Jorge Pederson, 30. The bar was packed with University of Texas students at the time of the attack. Harrington's brother, Reed Harrington, shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, describing Ryder as "the best mix of all the Harrington crew" and expressing profound grief. "I don’t think life will ever feel normal again," he wrote.
Savitha Shan was remembered by her teachers as a "motivated, intelligent student with the potential to do great things" and "sweet, smart, kind, curious, and beautiful." Jorge Pederson, nicknamed "Trap Jorge," was an amateur mixed martial artist preparing for his first professional fight scheduled for May 16. His gym posted on Facebook, praising him as "completely devoid of ego" and an "exceptional teammate." A teammate described him as "the most authentic human being" who "wanted everyone around him to win."
Community Response and Ongoing Investigation
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis described the shooting as a "tragic, tragic incident" and commended the bravery of responding officers who "were faced with an individual with a gun." She acknowledged the trauma affecting the city and expressed condolences to the victims' families. Footage from the scene showed a heavy police presence, with patrons tending to the wounded amid screams of pain. Separate videos depicted party-goers crouching in fear inside the bar as additional gunshots echoed, indicating the gunman fired again upon law enforcement's arrival.
Around 14 more people were wounded, with some remaining in critical condition. The University of Texas community held a candlelight vigil to honour the victims, gathering in remembrance and prayer. As the investigation continues, authorities are probing the full extent of Diagne's motives and any potential links to broader terrorism networks, with the FBI leading the inquiry into this devastating event.
