Trending Now - Austin Police Investigate Mass Shooting That Killed Three, Explore Terrorism Link
WHO:
Ndiaga Diagne, 53 years old, identified as the shooter.
Lisa Davis, Austin Police Chief.
Ryder Harrington, 19 years old, one of the victims.
Savitha Shan, 21 years old, one of the victims.
Jorge Pederson, 30 years old, one of the victims.
FBI, involved in the investigation.
Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General.
Greg Abbott, Texas Governor.
Steven Stalinsky, Executive Director of the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).
WHAT:
A mass shooting occurred in Austin, Texas, resulting in three deaths and 19 total victims.
The shooting took place early on March 5, 2026, as bars were closing.
Diagne opened fire with an AR-15 rifle, first from his SUV and then on foot.
Diagne was fatally shot by police after he began shooting at responding officers.
Two victims remain hospitalized, with one in critical condition.
The FBI is investigating the shooting for possible ties to terrorism.
Diagne had a history of antisemitic, anti-Christian, and pro-Iranian posts on social media.
WHERE:
The shooting occurred in the Sixth Street entertainment district of Austin, Texas.
Diagne lived in Pflugerville, Texas.
WHEN:
The shooting occurred on March 5, 2026.
Diagne immigrated to the U.S. in 2000 and became a citizen in 2013.
Diagne had a previous interaction with law enforcement in 2022 regarding his mental health.
WHY:
The investigation is examining whether the shooting was inspired by recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which occurred shortly before the attack.
Diagne's clothing included a shirt with a design similar to the Iranian flag and a hoodie that said "Property of Allah," suggesting possible ideological motivations.
HOW:
Diagne used an AR-15 rifle to carry out the shooting.
Police responded to the scene based on 911 calls reporting the shooting.
Authorities released surveillance video, police body camera footage, and audio from 911 calls during a news conference.
QUOTES:
"There’s people shot. We need help right now," a 911 caller said.
"This was a lone wolf activity where this shooter intended to wreak havoc here in Texas," said Governor Greg Abbott.
A mass shooting in the Sixth Street entertainment district of Austin, Texas, early today has left three people dead and 19 others injured, with two victims still hospitalized, one in critical condition. The shooter, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, opened fire with an AR-15 rifle before being fatally shot by police after he targeted responding officers; authorities are now investigating potential ties to terrorism due to Diagne's history of extremist social media posts. Governor Greg Abbott described the incident as a "lone wolf activity" intended to cause chaos, while the FBI continues to gather evidence, including surveillance footage and 911 call audio, to understand the motivations behind this tragic event.