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By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
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Austin, Texas, Mayor Kirk Watson and Austin Police Department (APD) Chief Lisa Davis held a press conference Monday to update the public on Sunday morning's mass shooting at Buford's bar that left three people dead, including the shooter, and 14 others injured.
The suspect has been identified as Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalized citizen born in Senegal who previously lived in New York City and most recently resided in Pflugerville, Texas. Diagne died at the scene after he was shot by police. The FBI has opened a joint investigation into a potential terrorism nexus.
Newsweek reached out to the APD via online form on Monday for additional comment.
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The Context
The mass shooting occurred in a dense entertainment district as bars were closing, according to Austin–Travis County EMS.
APD said officers received calls of a male shooting at Buford’s bar on West 6th Street just before 2 a.m. local time Sunday.
Authorities said the suspect drove a large SUV around the block multiple times, activated hazard flashers, rolled down a window, and fired a handgun toward people on Buford’s patio. The suspect then parked on Wood Street, exited with a rifle, and continued to fire while walking eastbound until officers reached an intersection and shot him, officials said.
According to EMS Chief Robert Luckritz, first responders arrived within 57 seconds of the 1:59 a.m. call, treated 17 patients, transported 14 to local hospitals, and pronounced three dead at the scene, with three in critical condition at transport.
The FBI’s disclosure that investigators observed “indicators” that suggested a potential link to terrorism elevated national-security concerns while leaving a motive undetermined pending further evidence collection.
The shooting came amid joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on Saturday that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Who Was Ndiaga Diagne?
Diagne, 53, was a naturalized citizen who was born in Senegal who previously lived in New York City and currently lived in Pflugerville, Texas, multiple outlets reported. The New York Post first reported that Diagne was naturalized in 2013 and applied for asylum in 2016.
The newspaper, citing its sources, also reported Diagne had a history of arrests in New York City and Texas.
Fox News reporter Bill Melugin shared an image of a person he said was Diagne. The person could be seen carrying a weapon and wearing a sweater that read, “Property of Allah.”
"I am told he was also wearing an undershirt that had an Iranian flag on it," Melugin wrote in a post on X.
New Information from Monday's Press Conference
Davis confirmed that the firearms used in the attack were legally purchased by Diagne.
She said investigators cannot speculate on motive at this time when asked about reports that the suspect was wearing an Iranian flag undershirt, adding additional criminal history and background on Diagne will be released at a Thursday press conference. Davis also confirmed that Diagne was not previously on APD's radar and the department had no prior warning before the attack.
Two of the victims killed in the shooting were identified Monday. Ryder Harrington, 19, had previously attended Texas Tech University, though the university confirmed he was not enrolled this semester, according to local station KLBK. A GoFundMe fundraiser was organized for Harrington and has reached over $72,557 of its $90,000 goal as of Monday afternoon.
The second victim was identified as Savitha Shan, 21. One hospitalized patient is expected to be taken off life support later Monday, and two others remain in critical care, according to officials.
On public safety, officials confirmed security plans for SXSW have not changed and the festival is expected to proceed safely. APD said it's in contact with major police departments and chiefs across the nation to monitor any related threat concerns, and that investigators will continue to speak with witnesses and track the suspect's movements in the lead-up to the attack.
Is Terrorism Suspected?
Alex Doran, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio office, said his team worked “in lockstep” with APD and deployed evidence response and digital forensics personnel to the scene.
While Doran said it was “way too early” to determine motive, he noted there were indicators “on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate a potential nexus to terrorism.”
He explained that investigators were reviewing those indicators closely with police.
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What People Are Saying
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Sunday in a statement: “This act of violence will not define us, nor will it shake the resolve of Texans. To anyone who thinks about using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texans or our critical infrastructure, understand this clearly: Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state.”
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, per X: "As we continue make sense of this terrible tragedy, and as our City addresses and deals with this trauma, I want to recognize the compassion, kindness, and light I’ve witnessed from so many Austinites. Especially at such a dark time, our people show how good they are. They provide all of us comfort."
Adding: "Again, I ask us all to hold the victims of this horrible crime, and their families, in our thoughts and prayers. Our hearts break for them."
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Houston, per X: "ATF Special Agents responded to an Active Attack in the 700 block of West 6th St. in Austin, TX. Three people are confirmed to be deceased, including the suspect, and 14 additional people were injured."
What Happens Next
APD and the FBI will continue to process the scene, review digital evidence, and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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