Trending Now - Investigation Into Austin Bar Shooting Explores Terrorism Links

WHO:

Ndiaga Diagne, 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen, originally from Senegal.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

U.S. officials, including FBI special agent Alex Doran.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis.

Rep. Wesley Hunt, candidate for the Republican Senate nomination.

Nathan Comeaux, 22-year-old University of Texas senior.

Dustin Burrows, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.

WHAT:

A mass shooting occurred at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in Austin, Texas, on March 1, 2026, at approximately 2 a.m.

The shooting resulted in two deaths and 14 injuries, with three individuals in critical condition.

Diagne was armed with both a pistol and a rifle during the attack.

The FBI is investigating the shooting as a potential act of terrorism.

Diagne was shot and killed by police during the incident.

Diagne had a prior arrest in 2022 for a vehicle collision.

WHERE:

Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, Austin, Texas, located along Sixth Street, a nightlife area near the University of Texas at Austin.

Diagne lived in Pflugerville, Texas.

WHEN:

The shooting took place on March 1, 2026.

Diagne entered the U.S. on March 13, 2000, on a B-2 tourist visa.

He became a lawful permanent resident in June 2006 and was naturalized on April 5, 2013.

WHY:

Investigators are exploring a potential connection between the shooting and recent U.S. airstrikes in Iran.

Diagne was reportedly wearing clothing that referenced Iran and had expressed pro-Iranian sentiments on social media.

HOW:

Diagne opened fire from his vehicle, initially using a pistol before exiting the vehicle with a rifle to continue shooting at pedestrians.

Law enforcement responded within a minute of the first call for help, leading to Diagne's death.

QUOTES:

Ken Paxton stated, "We do need to do a better job of vetting people, and Congress is going to have to figure out how to do that."

Alex Doran said, "There were indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate a potential nexus to terrorism."

Governor Abbott warned, "Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to defend our state."

A mass shooting at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in Austin, Texas, early last Monday left two people dead and 14 others injured, with three individuals in critical condition. The shooter, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, who was armed with both a pistol and a rifle, was killed by police during the incident, and the FBI is investigating it as a potential act of terrorism, especially given Diagne's pro-Iranian sentiments and clothing. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton emphasized the need for better vetting processes, while Governor Greg Abbott vowed that Texas would respond with decisive force to defend the state.