Deadly Texas Bar Shooting Investigated as Potential Terrorism
A gunman opened fire on a crowded bar in Austin's bustling nightlife district over the weekend, killing two people and wounding fourteen others before police fatally shot him. Authorities are investigating the attack as a potential act of terrorism, with the suspect wearing clothing featuring an Iranian flag design and the words "Property of Allah." The shooting occurred early Sunday morning near the University of Texas at Austin, sending patrons and bystanders scrambling for cover.
Suspect's Actions and Police Response
Police reported that the gunman, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, initially drove past Buford's Backyard Beer Garden before circling back and firing shots from his SUV at people on the sidewalk and inside the bar. After a brief pause, he parked, exited his vehicle with a rifle, and resumed shooting. Officers responded within one minute due to the area's heavy weekend police presence, confronting and ultimately shooting Diagne.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis identified the victims as 21-year-old Savitha Shan and 19-year-old Ryder Harrington. Harrington was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Texas Tech University. The shooting deeply affected the University of Texas community, with President Jim Davis noting that "members of our Longhorn family" were among those impacted.
Investigation and Suspect Background
The FBI and Austin police are still determining the motive behind the attack, which followed recent U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran. Diagne, originally from Senegal, legally purchased the pistol and rifle used in the attack several years ago in San Antonio. He first entered the United States in 2000 on a B-2 tourist visa and became a lawful permanent resident in 2006 after marrying a U.S. citizen.
Federal investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined local police at the scene, cordoning off several blocks around Sixth Street. Authorities have been unable to reach Diagne's family members or his ex-wife for comment.
Eyewitness Accounts and Community Impact
Nathan Comeaux, a 22-year-old University of Texas senior who was at the bar with friends, described the venue as "full of college students, probably mostly UT kids, shoulder to shoulder, hundreds just enjoying their nights." Comeaux filmed the suspect walking toward the bar with his gun pointed at officers before they fired.
"The shooter was walking towards where I was and towards where the bar was, where there could have been 10 times as much damage if he'd gone back to the bar where hundreds of students were hiding," Comeaux said. "So I'm just very grateful for the heroic police officers who were able to stop the suspect."
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the rapid police and emergency response, stating, "They definitely saved lives." The investigation continues as authorities work to understand the full context of this tragic event.
