AUSTIN, Texas โย A gunman opened fire in Austin’s popular Sixth Street entertainment district early Sunday morning, killing two people and injuring 14 others before being fatally shot by police, authorities said. The FBI is investigating the attack as a potential act of terrorismย .
ย How the Attack Unfolded
The shooting began just beforeย 2 a.m. CTย atย Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a popular bar in the city’s bustling nightlife district near the University of Texas campusย .
According to Austin Police Chiefย Lisa Davis, the suspect drove a large SUV around the block several times, then activated his hazard lights, rolled down his window, and began firing aย pistol at patrons on the bar’s patio and in front of the establishmentย . After the initial barrage, he parked his vehicle, exited with aย rifle, and continued shooting at people on the streetย .
Officers already patrolling the entertainment district responded withinย 57 secondsย of the first emergency callย . They confronted the armed suspect and exchanged gunfire, fatally shooting him at the sceneย .
ย Casualties and Response
The attack leftย three people deadโincluding the suspectโand 14 others woundedย . Among the injured,ย three remain in critical conditionย .
Austin-Travis County EMS Chiefย Robert Luckritzย praised the rapid response, noting that first responders were on scene treating patients within a minute of the callย . Austin Mayorย Kirk Watsonย echoed that sentiment, stating, “They definitely saved lives”ย .
ย Investigation and Potential Terrorism Link
Theย FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forceย has joined the investigation, with officials citing preliminary evidence found on the suspect and in his vehicleย .
FBI San Antonio Acting Special Agent in Chargeย Alex Doranย stated that while it’s “still too early to make a determination,” there are “indicators” of a “potential nexus to terrorism”ย . He declined to specify whether the suspected terrorism was domestic or international in natureย .
ย The Suspect
Law enforcement sources identified the gunman asย Ndiaga Diagne, aย 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegalย who came to America in 2006ย . A motive remains unclear as the investigation continuesย .
ย Aftermath and Response
The shooting sent crowds fleeing from one of Austin’s most popular nightlife areas, which typically attracts thousands on weekend nightsย . Officials have not yet released the identities of those killed or injuredย .
Texas Governorย Greg Abbottย directed the Texas Military Department to activate service members under “Operation Fury Shield” to patrol vital infrastructure and increased officer presence on Sixth Streetย . He vowed that Texas “will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state”ย .
The attack comes amid heightened security concerns following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranย . The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact the department’s victim services unitย .
