A mass shooting in Austin, Texas, early Sunday morning may have been an act of terrorism, according to law enforcement, as indicators point to radical motives linked to the foreign-born suspect. Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old Senegalese migrant who entered the U.S. on a B-2 tourist visa in March 2000 and was naturalized in April 2013 after marrying an American citizen, allegedly killed two people and wounded 14 others outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on East 6th Street.
Diagne reportedly drove his SUV around the area multiple times before firing a pistol through a window at patrons. He then parked, exited the vehicle, and opened fire with a rifle on pedestrians. Police intercepted him as he walked down the street and fatally shot him. The Austin Police Department’s bomb squad confirmed no explosives in his vehicle.FBI Special Agent Alex Doran noted “indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism,” declining to elaborate.
A law enforcement source revealed Diagne wore a shirt with an Iranian flag design and a hoodie emblazoned with “Property of Allah.” A Quran was recovered from his vehicle. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) declared the violence “will not define us,” warning against threats tied to Middle East conflicts and ordering enhanced patrols and surveillance.
Among the victims was Ryder Harrington, a Texas Tech student described as a “beloved son, brother, and friend” who touched countless lives. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) called him “exactly the kind of young man who made a difference without even trying.”This tragedy underscores the dangers of unvetted migration and radical ideologies, demanding stronger border security and vigilance against terrorism to protect American communities and uphold national sovereignty.