Mass Shooting in Austin: Two Dead, 14 Injured
The weekend saw a tragic mass shooting in Austin, Texas, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 14 others. The assailant, identified as Ndiaga Diagne, was seen wearing clothing that referenced religious and national symbolism, according to law enforcement sources who spoke to the Associated Press under anonymity.
Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal, moved to the United States in 2006. The FBI is probing the incident as a potential act of terrorism, given its timing shortly after a joint U.S.-Israel operation in Iran that resulted in Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death. Indicators found with Diagne and in his vehicle have led to this line of investigation, although Alex Doran of the FBI’s San Antonio office emphasized that it remains early to draw definitive conclusions.
The chaotic scene unfolded near Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on Sixth Street, a popular nightlife area. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis detailed how Diagne initially fired a pistol from his SUV at patrons outside the bar before exiting the vehicle with a rifle to continue his attack. The rapid response of law enforcement, arriving within a minute of the first distress call, culminated in officers fatally shooting the gunman.
Mayor Kirk Watson commended the swift action of both police and emergency services, stating, “They definitely saved lives.” The area, a known entertainment hub with a significant police presence, has witnessed other violent incidents in recent years, including two high-profile shootings since 2018.
University of Texas President Jim Davis expressed condolences on social media, acknowledging that some victims were associated with the university community: “Our prayers are with the victims and all those impacted.” The aftermath of the shooting left a scene of abandoned drinks and overturned tables, as patrons fled the sudden violence.
In a separate incident on the same day, a Cincinnati nightclub became the site of another shooting that injured nine people. According to interim police chief Adam Hennie, none of the injuries in Cincinnati were life-threatening.
The investigation into the Austin shooting continues as officials seek to determine the motivations behind this attack.
