Austin Mass Shooting Leaves Three Dead, FBI Probe 'Potential Terrorism'
- Suspect in Texas shooting wore ‘Property of Allah’ clothing and Iranian flag emblem, AP source says.
- The gunman was identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
By Joe Edwards Live News Reporter
At least three people have died and 14 hospitalized following an overnight shooting in Austin, Texas, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) probing a potential link to terrorism.
The Context
The Austin Police Department said in an early-morning statement on Sunday that officers were responding to a shooting in the 600 block of Rio Grande Street close to Downtown and that the suspect was deceased.
"The incident originated as a shoot/stab hotshot incident with multiple people injured," police said.
What To Know
Speaking at a Sunday press conference, acting agent in charge of the FBI's San Antonio office Alex Doran said his agency was working "in lockstep" with local police.
"We have members from our evidence response team, as well as our many other specialty teams including our digital forensics folks that are on scene helping to address the scene and gather additional evidence."
Doran continued: "Obviously, it's still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation, but there were indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate a potential nexus to terrorism."
"Again, it's still too early to make a determination on that. That's why we're investigating it very closely with our partners with Austin Police Department."
Speaking earlier on Sunday, Police Chief Lisa Davis described the shooting as a "tragic, tragic incident."
Davis said calls were received for a male shooting at Buford's bar on West 6th Street.
Davis said officers "immediately transitioned" to the area, "and were faced with the individual with a gun."
"Three of our officers returned fire, killing the suspect," said Davis.
Davis also noted that federal law enforcement partners were involved in investigation, and the scene would "take several hours to process."
Robert Luckritz, the Austin-Travis County emergency medical services chief, said a total of 17 patients were treated on the scene, with 14 of those transported to hospital—three in critical condition.
Three were pronounced dead on-scene, Luckritz said.
As reported by The Associated Press, the suspect drove past the bar multiple times before stopping and firing a handgun out the window of his SUV toward people on the patio and near the entrance.
It reported the man then parked, stepped out with a rifle, and opened fire on pedestrians in the area until officers reached the intersection and shot him.
"We received the call at 1:59 a.m. and within 57 seconds the first paramedics and officers were on-scene actively treating the patients," said Luckritz.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said he was "very thankful for the speed with which our public safety officials responded to this.
"I don't think there's any question that it saved lives."
...
What People Are Saying
The Austin Police Department said on X: "Austin Police officers are on scene investigating an Officer Involved Shooting in the 600 block of Rio Grande Street. The suspect is deceased. The incident originated as a shoot/stab hotshot incident with multiple people injured. Please avoid the area. More information to follow."
EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said at a media briefing: "We had a total of 17 patients on the scene. Fourteen of those were transported to the hospital, three were pronounced dead on-scene. Of the 14 patients who were transported to the hospital, three were in critical condition."
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said at the briefing: "Our hearts go out to the people that are victims of this."
What Happens Next
Authorities said they would update their associated social media channels with new information pertaining to the incident "as often as we possibly can."
Watson said additional information would be provided over the course of the day.
"Community members searching for loved ones related to the shooting on West 6th Street are asked to call the Austin Police Department Victim Services Unit at 512-974-5037," police said
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At least three people have died and 14 hospitalized following an overnight shooting in Austin, Texas, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) probing a potential link to terrorism.
Terrorism? What makes them think so? The inclusion of "‘Property of Allah’ clothing and Iranian flag emblem" probably means he's bringing Trump's Iran conflict to US soil.
The Austin Police Department said in an early-morning statement on Sunday that officers were responding to a shooting in the 600 block of Rio Grande Street close to Downtown and that the suspect was deceased.
"The incident originated as a shoot/stab hotshot incident with multiple people injured," police said.
So, what makes it so different than just another day of American gun violence?
Robert Luckritz, the Austin-Travis County emergency medical services chief, said a total of 17 patients were treated on the scene, with 14 of those transported to hospital—three in critical condition.
Three were pronounced dead on-scene, Luckritz said.
Increasing the everyday statistics.
You seem to have omitted all information about the shooter.
Ndiaga Diagne, 53, was a Senegalese national and naturalized U.S. citizen living in Pflugerville, according to four law enforcement officials.
At the time of the shooting, he wore a sweatshirt that said “Property of Allah" and a shirt underneath with an Iranian-flag theme, the sources said.
Thanks for posting that
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Yes I did initially omit that. I been having some computer problems lately (for two days now) so I was focusing on just trying to get this article seeded.
Then I saw the update and did finally post it (but probably not in the best place-- scroll all the way up to the top of the page, a link there says "updates").
Has anyone else here been having more computer/internet/phone or TV problems than usual?
For some strange reason I have a hunch that unfortunately we may be seeing more incidents like this in the near future,,,?
Yes, a terrible job of controlling the border and vetting immigrants created a real risk.
From what I've read so far this was probably more a case of inadequate vetting-- he actually entered legally but they failed to screen for extremist views and/or mental instability..
Keep in mind that anything like that that you readd is too early. His background, to that degree, will take days if not weeks to obtain. You are also jumping to the conclusion that it is based on the Iranian situation, despite how likely it appears, he may always just be another right wing 2nd Amendment enthusiast. But probably not, at least not American right wing.
Yes, he came on a tourist visa, overstayed it, and was eventually granted permanent residency and then citizenship A systematic failure following the overstay
Actually not. I am not certain its that, but it seems likely. But your comment got me wondering-- so I immediately checked something--- what was the date he first entered the U.S.? Well it was in the year 2000. And it seem that up until now he's never committed a crime (or at least not a violent crime).
So what would someone who been peaceful for over 25 years suddenly now commit murders (several)? The odds are that some current event triggered him.
(But I'm not certain-- IMO its just a very, very strong possibility that our war on Iran triggered him).
Yes, I think you're right about that.
Certain in your belief of that. Like I said, you are most likely correct, but currently on a "trust me bro" level.
Odds are you are probably correct, but those odds are still not 100%.
Odds are you are probably correct, but those odds are still not 100%.
True--- not 100% (but definitely greater than zero percent, eh?):
Suspect in Texas shooting wore ‘Property of Allah’ clothing and Iranian flag emblem, AP source says.