Texas Bar Shooting: Gunman Not on Authorities' Radar Before Attack
Federal and local investigators revealed on Monday that the gunman responsible for a deadly mass shooting outside a Texas bar, which claimed two lives and left fourteen others wounded, was not previously on the radar of law enforcement agencies. Both the FBI and Austin police emphasized that it remains too early to definitively identify the motive behind the early Sunday attack.
Investigation Focuses on Potential Terrorism
The FBI has stated it is investigating the shooting as a potential act of terrorism, particularly in the context of recent military actions involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran. Alex Doran, the acting agent in charge of the FBI's San Antonio office, underscored during a news conference that determining the motive is the primary objective of the ongoing investigation.
Police identified the shooter as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne. According to a law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, Diagne was wearing clothing featuring an Iranian flag design and bearing the words "Property of Allah" during the assault. Investigators are currently analyzing thousands of hours of video footage, and police noted there are over 150 witnesses to interview.
Details of the Attack and Victims
The shooting occurred outside Buford's Backyard Beer Garden along Sixth Street, a popular nightlife area near the University of Texas at Austin filled with bars and music venues. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis explained that the gunman legally purchased the weapons used in the attack several years ago in San Antonio.
The two victims have been identified as 24-year-old Savitha Shan and 22-year-old Ryder Harrington. Harrington was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Texas Tech University, as confirmed by the fraternity in an Instagram post. University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis expressed that some of those affected included members of the university community.
Sequence of Events and Suspect Background
According to police accounts, the gunman initially drove past the crowded bar before circling back and firing the first shots from his SUV at individuals on the sidewalk and inside the establishment. Inside the bar and nearby at a food truck, students reacted by diving for cover or remaining motionless in confusion. After a brief pause, the suspect parked, exited his vehicle with a rifle, and began shooting at others until officers arrived at the intersection and fatally shot him.
Diagne was originally from Senegal, as reported by multiple sources briefed on the investigation who requested anonymity. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed he first entered the United States in 2000 on a B-2 tourist visa and later became a lawful permanent resident in 2006 after marrying a U.S. citizen.
The FBI indicated that just hours after the shooting, they discovered "indicators" on the gunman and within his vehicle that prompted them to explore terrorism as a possible motive. The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the full circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
