The suspect fired shots from a pickup truck, then exited the vehicle and opened fire with a rifle before being killed by officers.
Published March 1, 2026
A gunman killed two people and wounded 14 overnight in Austin, capital of the US state of Texas, in a mass shooting that is being investigated as “potentially an act of terrorism,” according to the FBI.
Austin officers shot and killed the gunman, later identified by the Department of Homeland Security as Ndiaga Diagne, 53, who used a handgun and rifle to carry out the attack Sunday, police said.
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The shooting occurred outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden shortly before 2 a.m. (08GMT) on Sixth Street, a nightlife destination filled with bars and music clubs near the University of Texas.
FBI Special Agent Alex Doran said earlier Sunday that the motive for the attack was unknown, but that “there were indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate a possible link to terrorism.”
“In terms of specifically what type of terrorism, at this point we are prepared to say it was potentially an act of terrorism,” Doran said at a news conference. “It’s still too early to make a decision on this.”
The suspect drove by the bar several times before stopping and firing a gun out the window of his SUV at people on a patio and in front of the bar, according to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis.
The gunman then parked the vehicle, got out with a rifle and began shooting at people walking in the area before officers who ran to the intersection shot him, Davis said. Three of the injured were in critical condition Sunday morning, police said.
The White House said President Donald Trump had been briefed about the shooting, which broke out a day after the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Associated Press news agency, citing an unnamed law enforcement official, reported that Diagne was wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with “Property of Allah” and a shirt with the Iranian flag design. However, these details have not been officially confirmed and no formal link to a specific group or motive has been established.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned that the state would respond aggressively to anyone who tried to “use the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texas.”
“We will not be intimidated nor will we be terrorized,” he said in a statement.
University of Texas President Jim Davis said on social media that some of those affected included “members of our Longhorn family.”
“Our prayers are with the victims and everyone affected,” Davis said.
The entertainment district has a heavy police presence on weekends, and officers were able to confront the gunman within a minute of the first call for help, Davis said.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the quick response of police and rescuers.
“They definitely saved lives,” he said.
