
Deranged Man Kills 2, Wounds 14 In Austin Mass Shooting; FBI Investigates Possible Islamic Terror Link
The gunman behind Sunday’s mass shooting at a bar near the University of Texas-Austin campus was identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, a former New York City resident, law-enforcement sources told The NY Post. He was wearing a “Property of Allah” hoodie and may have been motivated by the US strike on Iran.
Sources said Diagne, a US citizen originally from Senegal, had a Quran in his vehicle and may also have worn an undershirt featuring the Iranian flag or other Iranian symbols when he opened fire on the crowded bar. He was naturalized in 2013 and had applied for asylum in 2016.
Authorities described him as a known emotionally disturbed individual with a history of arrests in both New York City and Texas. Diagne reportedly lived in New York from 2000 and accumulated several arrests between 2001 and 2016, including one for illegal vending; three other city arrests remain sealed.
“Obviously it’s still way too early in the process to determine the exact motivation but there were indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism,” Alex Doran, acting Special Agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio office told the Post. The FBI and local police are investigating the shooting as a possible ideologically motivated act of terrorism.
The attack occurred around 2 a.m., as the bar was closing and hundreds of patrons were leaving. Diagne’s large SUV was seen circling the block multiple times before he stopped in front of the bar and began firing from his front window, striking people on the front patio, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said. He then exited the vehicle and shot at pedestrians on the street.
Police confronted the shooter within less than a minute at an intersection on 6th Street, fatally shooting him. Two victims and Diagne died at the scene, while 14 others were transported to nearby hospitals, three in critical condition.
“Our hearts go out to the people that are victims of this and I want to reiterate my thanks to our public safety officers and officials that so rapidly were on the scene, they definitely saved lives,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott added, “This act of violence will not define us, nor will it shake the resolve of Texans. To anyone who thinks about using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texans or our critical infrastructure, understand this clearly: Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state.”