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AUSTIN, Texas — 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 terrorism .
🔫 How the Attack Unfolded
The shooting began just before 2 a.m. CT at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a popular bar in the city’s bustling nightlife district near the University of Texas campus .
According to Austin Police Chief 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 a pistol at patrons on the bar’s patio and in front of the establishment . After the initial barrage, he parked his vehicle, exited with a rifle, and continued shooting at people on the street .
Officers already patrolling the entertainment district responded within 57 seconds of the first emergency call . They confronted the armed suspect and exchanged gunfire, fatally shooting him at the scene .
📊 Casualties and Response
The attack left three people dead—including the suspect—and 14 others wounded . Among the injured, three remain in critical condition .
Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz praised the rapid response, noting that first responders were on scene treating patients within a minute of the call . Austin Mayor Kirk Watson echoed that sentiment, stating, “They definitely saved lives” .
🕵️ Investigation and Potential Terrorism Link
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined the investigation, with officials citing preliminary evidence found on the suspect and in his vehicle .
FBI San Antonio Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran stated that while it’s “still too early to make a determination,” there are “indicators” of a “potential nexus to terrorism” . He declined to specify whether the suspected terrorism was domestic or international in nature .
🔍 The Suspect
Law enforcement sources identified the gunman as Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal who came to America in 2006 . A motive remains unclear as the investigation continues .
🌆 Aftermath and Response
The shooting sent crowds fleeing from one of Austin’s most popular nightlife areas, which typically attracts thousands on weekend nights . Officials have not yet released the identities of those killed or injured .
Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Military Department to activate service members under “Operation Fury Shield” to patrol vital infrastructure and increased officer presence on Sixth Street . He vowed that Texas “will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state” .
The attack comes amid heightened security concerns following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran . The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact the department’s victim services unit
