AUSTIN, Texas — Federal and local authorities are investigating a weekend shooting at an Austin nightclub as a possible terrorist attack after a gunman killed two people and injured 14 others before police shot him dead.
The violence erupted early Sunday morning when the shooter targeted Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in Austin’s popular Sixth Street entertainment area. According to a law enforcement source who spoke to The Associated Press, the attacker wore clothing featuring an Iranian flag pattern and text reading “Property of Allah.”
The incident occurred following recent military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. FBI agents and Austin police continue examining what motivated the deadly assault, which caused panicked patrons and pedestrians to flee for safety.
According to police reports, the shooter initially drove by the establishment before returning and opening fire from his vehicle at people both inside the venue and on nearby sidewalks early Sunday morning.
University students present during the attack either dropped to the ground seeking protection or froze in place inside the bar and near a food truck across the street, struggling to comprehend the unfolding violence.
After a brief pause in gunfire, authorities say the attacker parked his vehicle, exited with a rifle, and continued shooting at bystanders until responding officers arrived at the scene and fatally wounded him.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis named the deceased victims as Savitha Shan, 21, and Ryder Harrington, 19.
According to a social media statement from the organization, Harrington had recently become a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Texas Tech University in 2024.
The targeted establishment sits along Sixth Street, a popular entertainment corridor packed with drinking establishments and live music venues near the University of Texas flagship campus. The institution ranks among America’s largest universities, serving approximately 55,000 students.
Nathan Comeaux, a 22-year-old senior who was at the location with friends that evening, described the scene: “full of college students, probably mostly UT kids, shoulder to shoulder, hundreds just enjoying their nights.”
University President Jim Davis acknowledged that some of those impacted were “members of our Longhorn family,” referencing the school’s mascot.
Following the shooting, law enforcement cordoned off multiple city blocks surrounding Sixth Street. Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives worked alongside local investigators at the crime scene.
Both FBI officials and Austin police stated Monday that determining the shooter’s motivation remains premature.
Authorities identified the gunman as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne. Police Chief Davis confirmed that Diagne had legally purchased both the handgun and rifle used in the attack years earlier in San Antonio.
Multiple sources familiar with the investigation, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on public discussion, revealed that Diagne originally came from Senegal.
Department of Homeland Security records show he initially arrived in the United States in 2000 using a B-2 tourist visa, later obtaining permanent residency status in 2006 following his marriage to an American citizen.
Associated Press journalists were unsuccessful Monday in contacting Diagne’s local family members or his former spouse, who was recently documented as residing in the San Antonio area. An individual at a residence associated with his ex-wife refused to provide comments and directed reporters to speak with investigators.
The entertainment zone maintains substantial police coverage during weekends, enabling officers to engage the shooter within sixty seconds of receiving the initial emergency call, according to the police chief.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson commended the rapid response from law enforcement and emergency personnel.
“They definitely saved lives,” he said.
Comeaux, the University of Texas Austin student, recorded video of the suspect approaching Buford’s while aiming his weapon at officers before police returned fire.
“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.”
