Deadly Texas Bar Attack Sparks Terror Probe
Three dead and 14 injured in Austin bar shooting as FBI investigates possible domestic terrorism links in the East Sixth Street attack.
Two people were killed and more than a dozen injured in a shooting outside a beer garden in Austin, Texas. The FBI says the incident may be terrorism-related.
The suspect has been identified as Ndiaga Diagne, a Senegalese-born US citizen.
After responding to a call of an active shooter near Buford Bar in the southern US state capital at around 02:00 local time (08:00 GMT) on Sunday, police said they shot and killed the suspect, bringing the death toll to three.
Police have not released a motive and have not officially identified Diagne. Fourteen survivors were taken to the hospital, three of whom are in critical condition.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said officers patrolling the popular, crowded bar area known as East Sixth Street immediately responded to a report of a man with a gun on Buford, further up on West Sixth Street.
Read Also
He said a man in a large SUV passing by Buford's turned on his hazard lights, rolled down his window, and fired a pistol, striking people standing on the patio and sidewalk outside the bar.
According to Davis, he parked nearby, got out with a rifle, and began walking back toward the bar. Three police officers confronted the suspect at an intersection and shot and killed him.
Officials said the SUV was searched and no explosives were found.
However, Alex Doran, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's San Antonio office, said there were signs on the SUV and the suspect that indicated "terrorism links."
But Doran said the investigation is still in its early stages and he is "not ready to release those details."
He added, "We are committed to seeing this process through to the end."
According to the Austin Current, 25-year-old Kelson Lee was within earshot of Buford's at the time of the shooting. He went inside to look for a friend. "I saw about seven or eight bodies on the floor," Lee told a local news outlet. "Nobody should ever see that."
Software Services
 |
Build a profitable gaming business with 500+ games — book a demo |
"I kind of blacked out, froze. I felt helpless because I wanted to help people."
Rob Luckritz, head of Austin-Travis County Emergency Management Services, said three of the 14 people taken to the hospital were in critical condition.
White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt said US President Donald Trump had been briefed on the shooting.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz, representing Texas, condemned the deadly attack in a social media post.
"What happened in Austin this morning was a senseless act of violence. My team and I are coordinating with local, state, and federal authorities," he wrote.
"I am grateful for the brave and swift response of law enforcement."
Davis said that due to the increased police and emergency resources in the entertainment area over the weekend, they were able to respond "quickly" to the scene.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson also praised the police and rescue team response, which officials said took 57 seconds. "I am very grateful for the speed," he said. "They certainly saved lives."
Texas Governor Greg Abbott vowed that "this act of violence will not define us, nor will it shake the resolve of the people of Texas."
Austin is home to both the Texas Capitol and one of the state's largest public universities, the University of Texas, located near the city's downtown, two miles from Buford. (3.2 km) away.
East Sixth Street and West Sixth Street are popular destinations for the approximately 55,000 students who frequent the area, mostly on weekends.
University of Texas President Jim Davis said in a statement: "Our prayers are with the victims and all those affected, including members of our Longhorn family, and my heart goes out to their families, friends, classmates, professors, and loved ones."
Thank you for reading this content.
Thank you for reading this content.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
