A mass shooting erupted early Sunday morning at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on West 6th Street in downtown Austin’s bustling entertainment district, leaving two patrons dead and 14 others injured. The suspect, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne—a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal and a resident of Pflugerville, Texas—was fatally shot by police at the scene, bringing the total death toll to three.
The attack unfolded shortly before 2 a.m. CST on March 1, when Diagne allegedly fired shots from an SUV circling the area before exiting the vehicle to continue targeting people outside the popular bar near the University of Texas campus. Austin Police Department officers responded rapidly—arriving within about 57 seconds—and engaged the gunman, killing him in an exchange of fire. Authorities credited the quick response with preventing additional casualties in the crowded nightlife spot.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined the investigation following the discovery of preliminary evidence suggesting a potential nexus to terrorism. Reports indicate that Diagne had a Quran in his vehicle and was wearing a hoodie emblazoned with “Property of Allah.” Some sources familiar with the probe told media outlets he may have also worn clothing featuring Iranian symbols or an undershirt linked to Iran, raising speculation about motives possibly tied to recent U.S.-Iran tensions—though officials emphasized that the investigation is in its early stages and no motive has been definitively established.
Diagne, who previously lived in the Bronx, New York, before relocating to Texas, was confirmed as the suspect by multiple outlets citing law enforcement sources, including CBS News and the New York Post. Victim identities have not yet been released, but the incident affected the local community, including some University of Texas students.
Law enforcement continues to search Diagne’s residence and analyze evidence as the probe deepens.
