Austin Mass Shooting at Buford's Bar on 6th Street Leaves 3 Dead, 14 Injured; FBI Investigates Nexus to Terrorism

A mass shooting in Austin, Texas turned the city's iconic entertainment district into a crime scene early Sunday morning, March 1, 2026. The Austin shooting at Buford's bar on West 6th Street left two victims and the suspect dead, with 14 more hospitalized. The FBI has now confirmed investigators are examining a potential nexus to terrorism.

Austin Shooting Begins With SUV Circling Buford's Bar on 6th Street

The Austin shooting unfolded around 1:59 a.m. in front of Buford's bar on West 6th Street, with Austin EMS Chief Robert Luckritz confirming paramedics and officers arrived on the scene and began treating patients just 57 seconds after receiving the first call. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis described a methodical and calculated attack. A large SUV repeatedly drove around the block near Buford's bar before the suspect put his flashers on, rolled down his window, and began firing a pistol from the vehicle, striking patrons on the patio and in front of the bar.

Austin Shooter Exits Vehicle With Rifle, Killed by Austin Texas Police Officers

After the initial handgun attack from his vehicle, the suspect parked the car and walked out with a rifle, shooting people who were walking by as he moved east along West Sixth Street. The Austin shooter's rampage ended swiftly once officers engaged. Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis said three officers returned fire toward the suspect, who died at the scene. Davis confirmed the suspect never entered Buford's bar and that only two weapons — a pistol and a rifle — were recovered from the scene.

Mass Shooting Austin TX: Casualty Count and Critical Patients

Three people were pronounced dead on scene, including the suspect, and of the 14 people taken to hospital, three were in critical condition. Blood resources were mobilized across Texas within hours of the Austin Texas mass shooting. South Texas Blood and Tissue officials confirmed 20 units of O-negative blood were sent to Austin overnight, and the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps was activated. An additional 140 units, including O-negative and O-positive, were dispatched from other blood centers.

FBI Cites Nexus to Terrorism in Buford's Austin Shooting Investigation

Federal investigators moved quickly to expand the scope of the Buford's Austin shooting probe. Alex Doran, acting special agent in charge of FBI San Antonio, said there were "indicators" of a "potential nexus to terrorism," adding that the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force as well as other specialty teams are involved in the investigation. Doran was careful to note the limits of what authorities could confirm at this stage. When pressed on the nature of the terrorism tie, Doran stated: "In terms of specifically what type of terrorism, we are just at this point prepared to say that it was potentially an act of terrorism." The FBI Evidence Response Team was photographed arriving at the scene, and federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also joined the investigation.

Austin Mayor and Texas Lawmakers Respond to Shooting in Austin Texas

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson credited the rapid coordination between law enforcement and emergency medical services. Watson said: "There is no question in my mind that the quick response of the police officers and of our EMS personnel and those professionals made a difference and saved lives." Texas lawmakers across the state reacted to the Austin Texas shooting with grief and urgency. State Representative John Bucy III said: "Austin is waking up to another gut-wrenching act of gun violence. My heart is broken for the victims, for their families, and for the pain afflicted on our community." Austin City Councilmember José Velásquez stated: "Gun violence is not inevitable, it is preventable. I am committed to using every tool available to protect our community."

Austin Shooting Suspect Name and Investigation Ongoing as KXAN News Reports Scene Processing

As of Sunday morning, authorities had not publicly released the Austin shooting suspect name, and the Austin Texas shooting scene on and around 6th Street remained an active investigation site. Austin Police Chief Davis noted that federal law enforcement partners are involved in the investigation and that processing the scene would take several hours. Anyone searching for loved ones affected by the shooting in Austin Texas is urged to contact the Austin Police Department Victim Services Unit at 512-974-5037. Anyone with photos, video, or information related to the case is asked to contact the Austin Police Department directly. Additional press briefings are expected throughout the day as investigators continue to piece together the timeline and motive behind the Buford's bar Austin mass shooting.