Austin Shooting: FBI probes possible terrorism link after Sixth Street attack
Federal and local investigators are examining an austin shooting that left multiple people dead and injured outside a downtown Austin beer garden on March 1, 2026. Authorities say the gunman opened fire at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on Sixth Street shortly before 2 a. m. Sunday, and the FBI is treating the incident as a potential act of terrorism.
Austin Shooting: FBI and local response
Alex Doran, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office, said in a press conference that it is still too early to determine a motive but that authorities found "indicators" on the alleged gunman and in his vehicle that "indicate potential nexus to terrorism. " The FBI and Austin law enforcement continue to patrol and investigate the scene along Sixth Street in downtown Austin.
Sequence of events on Sixth Street
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the suspect circled past Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on Sixth Street several times in a "large SUV" shortly before 2 a. m. Sunday, then stopped and opened fire with a pistol out of the vehicle window at people on the patio and gathered outside the bar. Chief Davis said the suspect parked the vehicle, stepped out with an assault rifle, and started firing at people on the street before officers responding to the incident shot and killed the gunman.
Casualties, injuries and hospital updates
the gunman killed two people and wounded 14 early Sunday at the bar; other officials stated three people, including the suspect, were killed and 14 were injured. All of those injured were transported to local hospitals, with three in critical condition, Austin EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said at the Sunday briefing. The names of the victims were released as of Sunday night.
Suspect identity and background
The Austin Police Department identified the suspect as Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old man. Diagne was born in Senegal and first came to the U. S. in 2000 on a B-2 tourist visa. He married a U. S. citizen in 2006 and "became a lawful per"—unclear in the provided context.
Evidence, witnesses and search activity
Witness Nathan Comeaux said he saw and recorded the final moments of the incident. Authorities said the suspected gunman was reportedly wearing clothes that bore the words "Property of Allah" and an Iranian flag design. Austin Police Department SWAT executed a search warrant at a home in Pflugerville, Texas, on Sunday, March 1, 2026, as investigators processed evidence from the scene.
State and national reactions
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump was briefed on the shooting. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican who had expressed support for the latest Iran strike, issued a public statement warning: "To anyone who thinks about using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texans or our critical infrastructure, understand this clearly: Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state. " A day before the incident, Abbott directed the Texas Military Department to activate service members to "work alongside state and federal partners to safeguard our communities and critical infrastructure, " and he directed the state’s Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to "intensify patrols and surveillance. " The shooting occurred a day after the U. S. and Israel launched a major military campaign against Iran.
Community impact and university statement
Jim Davis, president of UT Austin, confirmed that members of the university community were among those affected though they have not been publicly identified. Davis said, "Our prayers are with the victims and all those impacted, including members of our Longhorn family, and my heart goes out to their families, friends, classmates, professors, and loved ones. As Longhorns, we feel this pain together. " Sixth Street is a popular nightlife and entertainment district located a few miles from the University of Texas at Austin.
Investigators continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses as federal and local agencies work to determine motive and whether the attack constitutes a terrorist act.
