Austin Shooting on Sixth Street Kills Three as FBI Probes Possible Terror Link
The austin shooting outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in downtown Austin shortly before 2 a. m. on March 1, 2026, left three people dead, 14 wounded and prompted an FBI investigation into a possible terrorism nexus.
Austin Shooting on Sixth Street
Shortly before 2 a. m. ET on Sunday, March 1, 2026, a man circled Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on Sixth Street several times in a "large SUV, " then stopped and fired a pistol out of the vehicle window at people on the patio and gathered outside the bar, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said. The suspect then parked, stepped out with an assault rifle and started firing at people on the street; responding officers shot and killed the gunman. The attack occurred along Sixth Street, a popular nightlife and entertainment district a few miles from the University of Texas at Austin.
What officials have said about casualties
Law enforcement the gunman had killed two people and wounded 14 early Sunday at the bar, and Austin authorities later said three people, including the suspect, were killed in the attack. All 14 injured were transported to local hospitals, and Austin EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said three of the injured were in critical condition. Authorities released the names of the victims as of Sunday night.
Clothing, evidence and the FBI’s terrorism probe
Investigators said the suspected gunman was wearing clothing that bore an Iranian flag design and the words "Property of Allah. " Alex Doran, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office, said it was still too early to determine a motive but that authorities had found "indicators" on the alleged gunman and in his vehicle that "indicate potential nexus to terrorism. " The FBI has said the shooting is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism.
Suspect identified, background details and an unclear record
The Austin Police Department identified the suspect as Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old man born in Senegal. Diagne first came to the U. S. in 2000 on a B-2 tourist visa, married a U. S. citizen in 2006 and "became a lawful per" — unclear in the provided context.
Witnesses, searches and local reactions
Witness Nathan Comeaux recorded the final moments of the incident,. Austin Police Department SWAT executed a search warrant at a home in Pflugerville on Sunday, March 1, 2026, as part of the response. Jim Davis, president of UT Austin, confirmed that members of the university community were among those affected and said the university’s "prayers are with the victims and all those impacted" though those community members had not been publicly identified.
