A Waymo self-driving vehicle was filmed obstructing an ambulance that was responding to a tragic shooting incident on Austin’s 6th Street over the weekend. This incident resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including the shooter, and left 14 others injured.
The video, captured by Matthew Turnage and shared on TikTok, depicts the Waymo car positioned across the road as an ambulance approaches with its sirens blaring. In the footage, an Austin police officer can be seen exiting their vehicle to assist in moving the Waymo out of the way.
In the aftermath of the shooting, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, one victim is in critical condition and is expected to be taken off life support, while two others remain in serious condition. The Austin Police Department (APD) reported these updates on Monday.
Waymo, responding to inquiries about the incident, explained that a passenger had summoned the vehicle following the shooting. As the car neared the pickup location, it detected a blockage and attempted a U-turn. As it was mid-turn, another ambulance appeared, prompting the Waymo to yield briefly while being assisted by an officer.
A representative from Waymo emphasized their commitment to improving interaction with emergency vehicles and ensuring road safety in urban environments. They acknowledged the importance of learning from this incident to enhance their community engagement.
Following the shooting, Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz addressed the situation during a press conference alongside Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis. He noted that ATCEMS and other public safety agencies collaborate closely with autonomous vehicle operators in Austin. Despite the Waymo’s presence, Luckritz stated that the response time was swift, with emergency services arriving within 57 seconds, and they did not believe the incident impacted the care provided to patients.
In a related note, the FBI is investigating the shooting as a potential act of terrorism. Around 1:40 a.m., police received reports of a man firing a weapon outside Buford’s bar. Upon arrival, officers confronted the assailant, later identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, who was killed in the exchange. Diagne, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal, was reportedly seen wearing a sweatshirt with “Property of Allah” printed on it, along with a T-shirt featuring an Iranian flag.
Authorities have not yet established a clear motive for the shooting, and Diagne was not previously known to law enforcement. During the incident, he had two firearms, which were legally obtained in 2017, but he never entered the bar; instead, he fired from his vehicle before exiting with a rifle. An explosives team was called to inspect his car after investigators discovered suspicious items inside, but no explosives were found.
