At least three individuals, including the alleged shooter, have lost their lives following a gunfire incident in downtown Austin early Sunday. Fourteen others sustained injuries during the event.
The accused shooter has been named as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, as confirmed by Austin police on Sunday evening.
Diagne, originally from Senegal, entered the United States in 2000 on a tourist visa, and later became a lawful permanent resident in 2006 through marriage to a U.S. citizen. He achieved naturalization in 2013, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The motive behind Diagne’s actions remains uncertain. However, Alex Doran, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio office, indicated on Sunday morning that there were “indicators” suggesting a “potential nexus to terrorism.” He noted that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with specialized teams, is actively investigating the incident.
“At this juncture, we are prepared to classify this as potentially an act of terrorism,” Doran stated during a press briefing.
During the shooting, Diagne reportedly wore a sweatshirt emblazoned with “Property of Allah” and a shirt featuring an Iranian flag design, as per reports from The Associated Press.
In response to the tragedy, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced an increase in patrols and law enforcement presence in the area during weekends. He also referenced recent escalations in the Middle East, following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in Iran over the weekend.
“Texans are resilient. We will not be intimidated or terrorized,” Abbott asserted on Sunday. “We will protect our state without reservation.”
The initial report of the shooting at Buford’s, a well-known beer garden, was received just before 2 a.m. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis revealed that the suspect had circled the block multiple times in a large SUV before the shooting commenced. Diagne allegedly rolled down his windows and began firing from his vehicle with a pistol, targeting patrons at the bar. After parking and exiting the vehicle, he switched to a rifle and continued to shoot.
Emergency responders arrived within one minute of the call, having come from East Sixth Street, known for its vibrant entertainment scene.
At the scene, law enforcement fatally shot Diagne, according to Davis.
Authorities reported that the gunman killed two individuals, whose identities have not been disclosed as of Sunday evening. Fourteen others were taken to the hospital, with three in critical condition, as stated by Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed that the shooting has inflicted “significant trauma” on the city while commending the swift actions of police and emergency responders. “There is no doubt in my mind that the prompt response of our police officers and EMS personnel saved lives,” he remarked.
Leaders across the political spectrum have echoed gratitude for the first responders and extended prayers for the victims. “We stand with the victims, their families, and firmly for law and order, ensuring the safety of every Texan,” said Dustin Burrows, the Republican Speaker of the Texas House, in a statement on social media.
Though officials have not disclosed the names of the victims, Jim Davis, president of the University of Texas at Austin, noted that the campus community is feeling the repercussions of the shooting. “Our thoughts are with the victims and all those affected, including members of our Longhorn family,” he stated.
Kelson Lee, 25, was near Buford’s on West Sixth Street when he heard several gunshots. Upon entering the bar, he discovered multiple bodies on the floor. “No one should ever have to witness that… It saddens me deeply. Those are individuals who have families,” Lee shared with the Austin Current.
Lee described the arrival of first responders shortly after he did, with videos capturing the frantic efforts of medics, police, and bystanders assisting victims.
City Council Member Zo Qadri, representing downtown Austin, expressed disbelief at the tragic news. “There are still individuals identifying victims and searching for loved ones. It’s just heart-wrenching,” he commented.
Political responses to the shooting have included calls for changes in policy, with both parties addressing the issue of gun violence. Texas House Democrats, representing the Austin area, issued a joint statement emphasizing that gun violence continues to claim too many lives in Texas. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett echoed similar sentiments, labeling the loss of life preventable.
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar remarked, “We must put an end to America’s gun violence epidemic. People should be able to enjoy themselves at a bar without it devolving into a nightmare.”
Details regarding how the alleged shooter acquired the firearms remain undisclosed from both local and federal officials. Meanwhile, Republican responses have centered on themes of Islamic extremism and immigration, amid rising anti-immigration and anti-Muslim sentiments.
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican from Austin running for state attorney general, stated, “Muslim immigrant violence – naturalized or not – is preventable,” in a post on social media.
Governor Abbott also questioned the effectiveness of current immigration and naturalization processes, asserting, “Allowing unvetted immigrants who harbor animosity towards America must come to an end.” He characterized the incident as an act of terror.
State Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate, countered Abbott’s comments, stating, “Dangerous individuals should not be permitted entry to the country or access to firearms. Texans recognize this — it appears you do not.”
The naturalization process mandates a criminal background check. The Department of Homeland Security indicated that Diagne had been arrested in Texas in 2022 for a traffic-related incident after his citizenship was obtained. Reports from The New York Post also mentioned past arrests in New York City for various offenses, although details about convictions were not provided.
Denise Gilman, director of the Immigration Clinic at UT Austin, noted that arrests do not automatically disqualify individuals from green card status or naturalization, as it largely depends on the nature of the crimes.
The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the attack and rejected any attempt to collectively blame the Muslim community for the actions of one individual. Recently, Texas Republican leaders filed a lawsuit against CAIR, alleging it operates as a terrorist organization, a claim that has sparked further legal action from CAIR.
“While one person committed this horrific act, countless Texas Muslims concluded their evening prayers, returning home in hopes of peace and justice,” the organization stated.
