Credited from: LATIMES
Early Sunday, a gunman opened fire outside Buford's Backyard Beer Garden in Austin, Texas, killing three individuals, including himself, and wounding 14 others. The police were alerted about a "male shooter" shortly before 2 AM, and upon their arrival, they confronted the suspect who had been shooting at patrons from his vehicle and then from the street. Acting on reports, officers returned fire, killing the shooter, who was identified by the Department of Homeland Security as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, originally from Senegal, according to SCMP, BBC, and LATimes.
Witnesses reported chaos as the gunman maneuvered through the area in his SUV, initially firing a pistol from the vehicle before alighting with a rifle. The FBI is examining the incident for indications of terrorism, citing "indicators" found in the suspect's vehicle and on his person. While no explosives were discovered, these findings prompted a closer investigation, as stated by Alex Doran, acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's San Antonio office, According to BBC and Le Monde.
Of the 14 injured, three remain in critical condition, highlighting the severity of the assault. Mayor Kirk Watson praised the police's rapid response time of approximately 57 seconds, stating that their quick action "definitely saved lives." This sentiment was echoed by other officials, underscoring the importance of maintaining a strong security presence in the busy entertainment district, as per reports from SCMP and LATimes.
The investigation continues to unfold, with officials committed to exploring all possibilities regarding the suspect's motives, which may be linked to broader geopolitical tensions following recent events involving the U.S. and Iran. The community and university, where some of the injured were students, remain in shock as they come to terms with the tragedy, as noted by Le Monde and LATimes.