US federal investigators are examining whether a deadly shooting outside a beer garden in Austin, Texas, may be linked to terrorism, after two people were killed and more than a dozen others wounded in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it is investigating a possible terrorist connection after police shot and killed the suspected gunman, bringing the total number of deaths to three.
Austin police identified the suspect as Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalised US citizen who was born in Senegal, according to CBS News and other US media outlets.
Police were called to reports of an active shooter at around 02:00 local time (08:00 GMT) near Buford’s, a bar located in the Texas state capital. Officers responding to the scene shot and killed Diagne, authorities said.
Fourteen people were taken to hospital following the attack, including three who remain in critical condition. Police said they have not yet determined a motive.
Attack Unfolded on Busy Bar Strip
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said officers were already patrolling East Sixth Street—one of the city’s busiest nightlife areas—when reports came in about a gunman farther west on Sixth Street.
According to Davis, the suspect drove past Buford’s in a large SUV, activated the vehicle’s hazard lights, rolled down the window and fired a handgun at people standing on the patio and pavement outside the bar.
He then parked nearby, exited the vehicle carrying a rifle and began walking back toward the venue. Three police officers confronted him at a nearby intersection and opened fire, killing him at the scene.
Authorities said the SUV was searched and no explosives were found inside.
FBI Probing Possible Terror Link
Despite the lack of explosives, the FBI said there were indicators suggesting a possible connection to terrorism.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran, from the FBI’s San Antonio office, said investigators found evidence in the suspect’s vehicle and on his person pointing to what he described as a “nexus to terrorism.”
However, Doran cautioned that the investigation is still at an early stage and said he was not ready to disclose further details.
“We are committed to seeing this process through to the very end,” he said.
Two sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News that the suspect was wearing a sweatshirt bearing the words “Property of Allah.” An official briefed on the inquiry also said that officers searching Diagne’s home discovered an Iranian flag and images of Iranian leaders.
The shooting occurred during the same weekend that the United States and its ally Israel carried out multiple strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Witnesses Describe Chaos
Kelson Lee, 25, said he was close enough to hear the gunfire erupt outside Buford’s. Speaking to the Austin Current, he said he ran inside the bar searching for a friend.
“I see about seven to eight bodies on the floor,” Lee said. “No-one should ever have to see that.
“I kind of blacked out, froze up. I felt kind of helpless because I wanted to help people.”
Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services chief Rob Luckritz confirmed that of the 14 people taken to hospital, three were in critical condition.
Investigators from local, state and federal agencies remain at the scene as the inquiry continues. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation while the motive and circumstances surrounding the attack are fully examined.
