Police in Austin, Texas, have identified 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne as the suspect in a mass shooting that killed two people and injured dozens more at a bar early Sunday morning. Diagne, a Senegalese national and naturalized U.S. citizen, was reportedly wearing a sweater with "Property of Allah" and an Iranian flag-themed shirt during the attack. Officers shot and killed Diagne shortly after the rampage outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on Sixth Street.
Investigators are working to establish a motive and have not ruled out terrorism. The FBI is leading the preliminary investigation, noting "potential nexus to terrorism" based on indicators related to the suspect and his vehicle. Diagne first entered the U.S. in 2000, obtained legal permanent resident status in 2006, and became a naturalized citizen in 2013. He had a prior misdemeanor charge for collision with vehicle damage in 2022.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis stated the gunman drove past the bar multiple times before opening fire from his SUV. He then exited the vehicle with a rifle and fired at passersby before being confronted by officers. The rapid response of law enforcement, already present due to weekend crowds, is credited with saving lives.
This incident marks the 56th mass shooting in the U.S. this year. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has vowed an aggressive response to any threats against the state, particularly those linked to the current Middle East conflict. The identities of the deceased have not been released.