FBI Investigates Possible Terrorism Motive in Austin Bar Shooting

An FBI investigation is underway to determine if terrorism motivated the shooting outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, March 1, 2026, which left three people dead and 14 injured. The suspect, Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-traditional naturalized U.S. Citizen born in Senegal, was fatally shot by police.

Details of the Shooting and Suspect

The shooting occurred shortly before 2 a.m. Outside the bar. Law enforcement sources have revealed that Diagne had pictures of Iranian leaders and an Iranian flag at his home . He was also wearing a sweatshirt with the phrase “Property of Allah” and an undershirt featuring the Iranian flag, and a Quran was found in his car .

Diagne immigrated to the U.S. In March 2000 on a B-2 tourist visa. He became a lawful permanent resident in 2006 based on marriage to a U.S. Citizen and naturalized as a U.S. Citizen in 2013 . He was previously arrested in Texas in 2022 for a collision resulting in vehicle damage .

Victims Identified

The victims who died in the shooting have been identified as Savitha Shan, 21; Ryder Harrington, 19; and Jorge Pederson, 30 .

Investigation Status

The FBI’s San Antonio field office is leading the investigation into a potential terrorist motive. Alex Doran, the acting special agent in charge, stated that the motive remains under investigation, but terrorism is being considered as a possibility . Law enforcement was already staged in the city’s entertainment district when the shooting began .

Members of the FBI and local law enforcement investigate after a mass shooting outside of Buford’s bar in downtown on March 1, 2026 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images