Russ Finney, Assistant Professor at the McCombs School of Business, expressed sorrow after Indian‑American student Savitha Shan was identified as one of the victims of a mass shooting outside a bar in Austin, Texas.
Shan, 21, was among two people killed when a gunman opened fire, injuring 14 others. The second victim was identified as Ryder Harrington, 19. Responding officers fatally shot the suspect.
In a post on X, Finney wrote, “Savitha was one of our superstar students at the UT Austin McCombs School of Business – she was set to graduate this May, and then she was on to start her career at a big professional services firm. She was a double major with honors. Involved in student organizations – a light in the classroom. Absolutely crushing to lose her.”
Police Chief Lisa Davis initially said she was unsure whether the victims attended local colleges; subsequent reports identified Shan as a student at the University of Texas at Austin and Harrington as a student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined the investigation. Officials said there were indicators related to the suspect and his vehicle suggesting a “potential nexus to terrorism,” though they cautioned it is too early to determine motive. FBI Acting Special Agent Alex Doran said authorities are probing all possible angles, including whether the suspect may have self‑radicalised.
Multiple U.S. officials identified the suspect as Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalised U.S. citizen born in Senegal. Sources said he was 53, arrived in the United States in 2006, became a citizen in 2013, and had lived in New York before relocating to Texas. Investigators believe he acted alone.
Authorities said the shooting occurred at Buford’s, a beer garden in Austin’s entertainment district. Sources indicated the gunman drove around the block in an SUV and opened fire from the vehicle’s open window at patrons seated outside, then exited the SUV and continued shooting on foot. Police recovered a handgun and a rifle at the scene, and several weapons were found inside the SUV.
Law enforcement sources said the suspect had prior mental‑health episodes in Austin. Investigators are examining whether he was influenced by extremist ideology or had any links to international terrorism. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence said its National Counterterrorism Center is coordinating with the FBI and local authorities to assess any potential foreign ties.
