Suspect identified in Texas bar shooting that left 2 dead, 14 injured
Suspect identified in Texas bar shooting that left 2 dead, 14 injured
Following a violent shooting at an Austin bar early Sunday, authorities have confirmed the identity of the gunman responsible for killing two individuals and wounding 14 others. According to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, officers arrived at Buford’s, a well-known beer garden in the downtown area, shortly after 1:58 a.m. upon receiving reports of gunfire.
“At one point, he put his flashers on, pulled down his window, and began using a pistol, shooting out of his car windows, striking patrons of the bar that were on the patio and out in front of the bar,” Davis stated during a news conference.
The suspect, a 53-year-old man named Ndiaga Diagne, was identified by four sources connected to the probe. After circling the block in an SUV, Diagne exited his vehicle with a rifle and continued firing at pedestrians along West Sixth Street. Officers encountered him during the incident and shot him dead on the spot, the chief confirmed.
Diagne, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Senegal, arrived in the country on a B-2 tourist visa on March 13, 2000. He later obtained lawful permanent residency through marriage to a U.S. citizen in 2006 and became a citizen in 2013. A Homeland Security official noted he was arrested in 2022 for a vehicle collision involving damage.
Authorities are currently examining whether the attack was linked to terrorism or stemmed from the suspect’s mental health. “There were indicators in the vehicle and on the subject that suggest a possible connection to terrorism,” said Alex Doran, an FBI special agent. “But it’s still too early to confirm that.”
Three fatalities were reported initially, including the suspect himself, as per Robert Luckritz, head of emergency medical services in the county. Another 14 victims were taken to hospitals, with three in critical condition. Paramedics were already stationed in the entertainment district, arriving within a minute of the shooting to begin treatment.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the swift action of both police and paramedics. “I’m very thankful for the speed with which our public safety officials responded to this,” he said. “There’s no doubt that it saved lives.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement on Sunday, expressing solidarity with the victims and vowing to safeguard citizens. “This act of violence will not define us, nor will it shake the resolve of Texans,” Abbott asserted. He also warned against using the Middle East conflict—specifically the joint U.S.-Israeli operations targeting Iran—as a threat to the state’s people.
Buford’s is located just two miles from the University of Texas campus and less than a mile from the Texas Capitol. The ongoing investigation remains in its early stages, with officials emphasizing that details may shift as more evidence emerges.
