Austin Bar Shooting Leaves Three Dead, Many Injured
Early Sunday morning, a gunman opened fire on a crowded bar in Austin, Texas, killing three people and wounding over a dozen others. The attack happened in the city’s busy Sixth Street nightlife area, popular with college students. Police shot and killed the suspect on the scene. Authorities are investigating whether the shooting was an act of terrorism, especially since the gunman wore clothing with an Iranian flag and the words “Property of Allah.” This incident occurred shortly after the U.S. and Israel launched military actions against Iran.
How the Attack Happened
First Shots from a Vehicle
Police say the gunman, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, first drove past Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in an SUV. He then circled back and started shooting from inside the vehicle at people on the sidewalk and inside the bar. Students and patrons dove for cover or froze in fear as bullets flew.
Gunman Gets Out and Fires Again
After a brief pause, Diagne parked his SUV, got out with a rifle, and began shooting at others nearby. At that moment, Austin police officers arrived quickly and confronted him, shooting and killing him before he could cause more harm.
Remembering the Victims
Three Lives Lost
The three people who died were identified as Savitha Shan, 21; Ryder Harrington, 19; and Jorge Pederson, 30. Shan was a student at the University of Texas studying management information systems and economics. Harrington was a freshman at Texas Tech University, part of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Pederson’s background was less detailed, but his death was confirmed by police.
Sixth Street: A Student Hotspot
Near the University of Texas Campus
The bar is located on Sixth Street, a famous entertainment district filled with clubs and bars. It’s right near the University of Texas at Austin, which has about 55,000 students. Many of those hurt were UT students, and the university president said members of the “Longhorn family” were affected.
Student Eyewitness Accounts
Nathan Comeaux, a 22-year-old UT senior, was at the bar that night. He described it as packed with college students, “shoulder to shoulder, hundreds just enjoying their nights.” He filmed the moment the gunman approached police with his weapon, and officers shot him. “They definitely saved lives,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.
Who Was the Suspect?
Background and Immigration History
The gunman was Ndiaga Diagne, originally from Senegal. He first came to the U.S. in 2000 on a tourist visa. After marrying a U.S. citizen, he became a lawful permanent resident in 2006. Police said he legally bought the pistol and rifle used in the attack several years ago in San Antonio.
Clothing and Possible Motive
Diagne was wearing clothes with an Iranian flag design and the phrase “Property of Allah” during the shooting. Because the attack followed U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, officials are exploring if this was a terrorist act. However, the FBI and Austin police stress that the investigation is ongoing and no motive has been confirmed yet.
Police Response: Fast and Heroic
Officers Arrived Within a Minute
Sixth Street has a heavy police presence on weekends, especially at night. Authorities said officers responded to the first 911 call within about one minute. They confronted Diagne almost immediately after he exited his SUV, preventing further casualties.
Eyewitness Gratitude
Students like Comeaux praised the police for their quick action. “The shooter was walking towards where I was… there could have been 10 times as much damage if he’d gone back to the bar,” Comeaux said. He and others are grateful that officers stopped the gunman so fast.
Investigation Continues
No Clear Motive Yet
As of Monday, both the FBI and Austin police said it’s too early to determine why Diagne carried out the shooting. They are looking into all possibilities, including terrorism, personal issues, or other factors. Federal agents from the ATF and other agencies are assisting local investigators.
Seeking More Information
Police have been unable to reach Diagne’s family members in the Austin area or his ex-wife, who lives near San Antonio. A person at her home declined to comment, referring questions to investigators. The public is asked to come forward with any tips that could help understand the shooter’s intentions.
Community in Mourning
The shooting has left the Austin community, especially the University of Texas, in shock. Vigils and support services are being organized for victims and their families. Officials remind everyone that while the investigation continues, the focus is on healing and ensuring safety in nightlife areas.
