Third person dies after Austin bar shooting
Third person dies after Austin bar shooting
Austin authorities confirmed Monday night that a third individual injured in a Sunday morning shooting at a downtown bar has passed away. The victims include Jorge Pederson, 30, who succumbed to his wounds, along with Ryder Harrington and Savitha Shan. Over a dozen others were hospitalized following the incident, which occurred near a prominent beer garden on Sixth Street.
Shooting Details and Suspect Background
The suspect, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, was slain by police shortly after the attack. Law enforcement officials shared that Diagne, a Senegalese national and U.S. citizen, resided in Pflugerville. He was wearing a sweatshirt with “Property of Allah” and an undershirt featuring an Iranian flag motif at the time of the shooting. Investigators indicated he had no prior connections to the state and acted alone, though he had a documented history of mental health issues.
“From all accounts, Ryder was exactly the kind of young man who made a difference without even trying — full of life, loyal to his friends, proud to be a Red Raider and a Texan, and someone who showed up for the people around him,” said State House Speaker Dustin Burrows on X.
Victim Details and Family Reactions
Ryder Harrington, 19, was a Texas Tech University student, as noted by his siblings and a local politician. His brother Reed Harrington expressed grief on Facebook, calling Ryder “the best mix of all the Harrington crew” and lamenting the loss of a promising future. “Nothing would be enough to express how special you are to me,” Reed wrote, adding that he felt “life will never feel normal again.”
“I’m not sure how we’re meant to work through this — all I can think about is seeing you again,” shared Reagan Harrington, Ryder’s sister, in an Instagram tribute. Ryan Harrington, another sibling, posted, “I’m gonna miss my brother.”
The Beta Theta Pi fraternity confirmed Ryder’s death, highlighting his role in the fall 2024 pledge class. “From the moment he joined our brotherhood, he brought a light that was impossible to ignore,” the chapter’s Instagram stated. A candlelight vigil is planned for Monday at 8 p.m., and a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the family.
Emergency Response and Critical Injuries
Robert Luckritz, head of the county’s emergency medical services, reported three people were taken to the hospital in critical condition early Sunday. Police chief Lisa Davis announced Monday that one of those patients would be removed from life support later in the day, though the other two remained in critical care. The shooting took place outside Buford’s, a popular downtown beer garden, as per official statements.
Authorities are still exploring potential motives, including the possibility of terrorism. While Diagne’s background remains under scrutiny, no prior threats were linked to his offices. The firearms used were legally purchased in San Antonio in 2017, according to Doran, an FBI special agent.
“It is unfair, to say the least, that my little brother was only given 19 years on this earth,” Reed Harrington wrote. “Watching the man he had become, and seeing all the lives he touched, leaves me certain that this world was robbed of a great future.”
