Texas bar shooting in texas capital leaves three dead, FBI flags possible terrorism
A shooting outside Buford's Backyard Beer Garden in Austin, texas, left at least three people dead and 14 wounded in the early hours of Sunday, and the FBI says there were "indicators" of terrorism. Police shot and killed a suspect after officers responded to calls of an active shooter at around 02: 00 local time (08: 00 GMT).
Scene in Austin, Texas
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said officers on patrol in the busier East Sixth Street area quickly responded to reports of a man with a gun at Buford's, which is located farther down on West Sixth Street in the city's entertainment district, a few miles from the University of Texas at Austin. Chief Davis said the suspect, driving a large SUV, went past the bar several times before putting on his hazard lights, rolling down his window and firing a pistol, striking people on the patio and on the pavement outside the bar.
Shooting and response
the suspect parked the vehicle nearby, exited with a rifle and started walking back toward the bar, then began shooting at people passing by. Three police officers confronted the man at an intersection and shot and killed him. The SUV was searched and was not carrying explosives. Emergency services received a call at 1. 39am, and within 57 seconds the first paramedics and officers were on scene actively treating patients; other accounts say the first reports came just before 2am.
Victims and injuries
Initial accounts said two people were killed at the scene and over a dozen were injured; police shooting the suspect brought the death toll to three. Emergency Management Services head Rob Luckritz said 14 people were taken to hospital, with three in a critical condition. Luckritz also said three people were found dead at the scene and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals.
Suspect identity and history
The suspect has been identified as Ndiaga Diagne. He is named in media reports as a naturalised American citizen who was born in Senegal and described by the Department of Homeland Security as 53 years old. Officials say he first entered the United States in 2000 on a tourist visa, became a lawful permanent resident six years later after marrying a US citizen, and became a naturalised US citizen in 2013. Authorities have said he had a history of mental health issues. Police have not offered a motive and have not officially identified Diagne.
Evidence and potential Iran link
Investigators found clothing and items on the suspect and in and near the vehicle that have drawn specific attention. Two sources familiar with the investigation said the gunman was wearing a sweatshirt with the words "Property of Allah" and other accounts say he wore a shirt bearing an Iranian flag with "IRAN" spelled across the front in green, white and red. Officers who searched the suspect's home found an Iranian flag and pictures of Iranian leaders. Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran of the FBI's San Antonio office said there were indications in the SUV and on the suspect that suggested a "nexus to terrorism, " but that the investigation was in its early stages and he was not prepared to release those details. "We are committed to seeing this process through to the very end, " Doran said.
