A weekend night out turned into a nightmare early Sunday morning when a mass shooting in Austin’s bustling Sixth Street entertainment district left multiple people dead and dozens more injured, authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a popular bar frequented by locals and visitors alike. Law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel responded to reports of gunfire along West Sixth Street, one of the city’s busiest nightlife corridors.
Initial reports from the Austin Police Department confirmed that two victims were killed at the scene and at least 14 others were wounded in the shooting. One of the wounded later died, bringing the confirmed number of fatalities to three, including the alleged shooter.
Paramedics and officers were on the scene in less than a minute after the first 911 call — a swift response officials said likely helped save lives. APD Chief Lisa Davis praised the quick reaction, noting that nearby officers were already in the vicinity and able to engage the threat rapidly.
Police identified the suspected gunman as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal. He was reportedly driving a large SUV and fired shots from the vehicle before stopping and continuing to fire on pedestrians outside the bar. Officers confronted Diagne and, after an exchange of gunfire, fatally shot him.
Chief Davis said at a press briefing that Diagne never entered the bar itself, but engaged in the shooting from the street. Authorities recovered both a handgun and a rifle at the scene.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined the investigation, and officials are exploring all possible motives. Alex Doran, the FBI’s acting special agent in charge of the San Antonio field office, said there were “indicators” suggesting a potential nexus to terrorism, based on materials found on the suspect and in his vehicle. However, he emphasized that it is too early to determine a definitive motive.
“Obviously, it’s still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation, but there were indicators that indicate potential nexus to terrorism,” Doran told reporters.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson called the event a “traumatic moment for our city,” offering condolences to victims and their families while praising first responders for their bravery and professionalism.
Local officials, including law enforcement and university leaders, urged the public to remain vigilant and support each other during the investigation and recovery process. Services and resources for victims and their families have been made available through the Austin Police Department’s Victim Services Unit.
As the investigation continues, authorities are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and working with federal partners to piece together the timeline and possible motivations behind the attack. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force remains involved, and officials have asked anyone with information or video related to the shooting to come forward.
