Federal and local authorities are investigating a mass shooting at a popular Austin bar as a potential act of terrorism that left three people dead and fourteen others injured.
The shooting occurred early Sunday morning outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on Sixth Street, an area heavily frequented by University of Texas students. Police identified the gunman as Ndiaga Diagne who was 53 and a Senegalese national and naturalized U.S citizen. Diagne was killed by police at the scene after he reportedly opened fire from his SUV and later on foot using rifle and a pistol.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force joined the investigation after “indicators” of a nexus to terrorism were found on the suspect and in his vehicle. According to law enforcement, Diagne was wearing a hoodie with the phrase “Property of Allah” and a t-shirt with the Iranian flag.
The attack coincided with heightened global tensions following recent U.S and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. The Site Intelligence Group noted that Diagne had a history of social media posts expressing pro-Iranian regime sentiments and hostility toward American and Israeli leadership.
Among the victims was Ryder Harrington who was a student at Texas Tech University. Witnesses described a scene of chaos as hundreds of students scrambled for cover. “The University of Texas community has definitely been majorly affected by this,” said student Nathan Comeaux who witnessed the police confrontation.
In response governor Greg Abott has ordered increased patrols at critical infrastructure, including energy facilities and the border. Similar security surges were reported in New York and Los Angeles.
FBI director Kash Patel stated that counterterrorism teams are on “high alert” to disrupt potential domestic threats linked to the escalating Middle East conflict.
