Austin 6th Street Shooting: FBI Investigates Potential Terror Connection

A shooting in Austin’s Sixth Street entertainment district early Sunday morning left three people dead and 14 injured, prompting an investigation into whether the attack was inspired by terrorism. The suspect, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, was fatally shot by police after a minute-long rampage through the crowded area.

Details of the Shooting

According to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, officers responded to reports of gunfire near Buford’s bar shortly before 2 a.m. Diagne drove a large SUV, circling the block several times before opening fire with a handgun. He then continued shooting with both a pistol and a rifle as he walked east on Sixth Street. Police quickly engaged the shooter, killing him at the scene.

Three victims, Ryder Harrington, 19, a Texas Tech student, Savitha Shan, 21, and Jorge Pederson, 30, died as a result of the shooting. Fourteen others were injured, with three remaining in critical condition as of Sunday. At least four patients have been released from local hospitals.

The Suspect and Potential Motives

Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalized U.S. Citizen originally from Senegal, was not previously known to local or federal investigators. He entered the U.S. On a B-2 tourist visa in 2000, became a lawful permanent resident in 2006, and a citizen in 2013.

Investigators are exploring whether the shooting was motivated by recent U.S. And Israeli strikes on Iran. Diagne was wearing a sweatshirt with the words “Property of Allah” and a T-shirt with an Iranian flag design at the time of the shooting. The FBI is investigating a “potential nexus to terrorism.”

Investigation and Evidence

A search warrant was executed at a residence connected to Diagne in Pflugerville, Texas. Investigators seized boxes of items and examined a vehicle. A Quran was found in the suspect’s car. Authorities are reviewing Diagne’s digital devices and looking into any potential mental health history.

Both firearms used in the shooting were legally purchased in San Antonio in 2017. Diagne had minor interactions with law enforcement in Modern York and Texas, including a 2022 arrest for a collision with vehicle damage and a 2017 lawsuit alleging he injured a pedestrian with his car.

Austin police plan to release body camera footage and additional details about Diagne’s criminal history this week.