AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A tragic shooting occurred at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in Austin, Texas, early Sunday morning, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 14 others. The gunman, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, reportedly wore clothing featuring an Iranian flag design and the phrase “Property of Allah.” This incident is being investigated by the FBI as a potential act of terrorism, following a U.S. and Israeli military attack on Iran just a day prior.
The shooting took place shortly before 2 a.m. in a popular nightlife area along Sixth Street, close to the University of Texas at Austin. The bar was reportedly bustling with college students at the time. Nathan Comeaux, a 22-year-old senior at the university, described the scene as filled with hundreds of students enjoying their night out. He had just left the bar moments before the gunfire erupted.
According to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, Diagne drove past the bar multiple times before stopping and discharging firearms from his SUV at individuals on the patio and those in front of the bar. He exited his vehicle, armed with a rifle, and continued to shoot at pedestrians until police officers responded within minutes and fatally shot him. Three individuals among the wounded were reported to be in critical condition shortly after the incident.
Eyewitness Comeaux shared that initially, people near a pizza truck across the street mistook the gunfire for fireworks or loud motorcycle sounds. After hiding behind a nearby bench, he recorded the confrontation between the gunman and law enforcement on his phone as more shots were fired. He expressed concerns for the UT community, noting that he knows someone who was shot and believes many in the student body likely share similar connections.
The FBI has not yet established a clear motive for Diagne’s attack; however, investigators discovered certain indicators in his vehicle and background that prompted them to explore potential links to terrorism. Acting FBI agent Alex Doran stated that it was still too early to conclude definitively regarding the nature of the incident.
Diagne entered the U.S. in 2000 on a B-2 tourist visa, later obtaining lawful permanent residency after marrying a U.S. citizen. He became a naturalized citizen in 2013 and was originally from Senegal, according to confidential sources involved in the investigation.
In response to the shooting, Texas Governor Greg Abbott condemned any attempts to leverage the current Middle Eastern conflict to threaten individuals in Texas. University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis acknowledged the impact on the university community, offering prayers for the victims and their families.
The police presence in the entertainment district was significant over the weekend, with officers managing to neutralize the threat rapidly. Mayor Kirk Watson commended the police and emergency responders for their swift actions, asserting that they likely saved lives. The shooting has prompted heightened law enforcement scrutiny of the area, especially after two other high-profile shootings occurred in the Sixth Street district in the past five years, including a 2021 incident that left 14 wounded.
The following evening, the typically vibrant entertainment district was notably quiet. The area was cordoned off with police tape, as local and federal authorities, including ATF agents, investigated the scene. Journalists and bystanders gathered outside the perimeter, eager to witness the ongoing investigation.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding gun violence and public safety, especially within social and nightlife environments. Austin’s community faces a grave trauma as the effects of this shooting ripple through its population, notably impacting its student body at the University of Texas.
