A gunman opened fire early Sunday at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in Austin’s busy Sixth Street entertainment district, killing three people and wounding more than a dozen before police fatally shot the suspect. Authorities are treating the attack as a possible act of terrorism while investigators work to determine a motive. A law enforcement official told The Associated Press the suspect was wearing clothing that featured an Iranian flag design and the words “Property of Allah.”
The shooting occurred shortly after U.S. and Israeli forces launched an attack on Iran, a context officials said they were considering as part of their probe. The FBI and Austin police said the investigation into motive is ongoing as witnesses and people on nearby streets sought cover.
What happened
Police say the attacker drove past the bar, circled back and began firing from his SUV at people on the sidewalk and inside the venue. Some patrons — including college students — dove for cover; others froze inside the bar or nearby by a food truck. After a brief pause, the suspect parked the vehicle, exited carrying a rifle and resumed shooting. Officers rushed to the intersection, engaged the shooter and shot him.
Impact on the university community
Buford’s sits on Sixth Street, a nightlife corridor adjacent to the University of Texas at Austin campus, which enrolls roughly 55,000 students. Nathan Comeaux, a 22-year-old senior, described a crowd “full of college students, probably mostly UT kids,” shoulder to shoulder and enjoying the night. University President Jim Davis said some of those affected were members of the university community. Police fenced off several blocks around Sixth Street while ATF and other federal agents joined local investigators.
Suspect and weapons
Authorities identified the shooter as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne. Police said he legally purchased the handgun and rifle used in the attack several years ago in San Antonio. Multiple people familiar with the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Diagne was originally from Senegal. Homeland Security records reviewed by reporters indicate he first entered the U.S. in 2000 on a B-2 tourist visa and became a lawful permanent resident six years later after marrying a U.S. citizen. Reporters were unable to reach his family or ex-wife on Monday.
Police response
Because Austin’s entertainment district typically has a heavy weekend police presence, officers confronted the gunman within about a minute of the first call, the police chief said. Mayor Kirk Watson praised the rapid response, saying officers and first responders “definitely saved lives.” Video taken by Comeaux shows the suspect walking toward the bar with his gun aimed at officers as they fired; Comeaux said the quick intervention likely prevented far greater loss of life.
