Federal investigators are treating the deadly weekend shooting in downtown Austin, Texas, as a potential act of terrorism after what officials described as ideological indicators were discovered at the scene.
The gunman, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, opened fire on patrons in the city’s busy entertainment district around 2 a.m. local time near Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on West Sixth Street.
The area was packed with weekend crowds and located near the University of Texas.
According to reporting from the New York Post, a Quran was found inside Diagne’s vehicle.
The outlet’s Karol Markowicz reported that the shooting is being investigated as ideologically motivated.
Authorities reportedly believe the gunman was motivated by the ongoing strikes against the Iranian regime.
Diagne was an American citizen born in Senegal and had reportedly lived in Pflugerville, Texas, prior to the attack.
He previously resided in New York City from 2000 to 2008 and had lived in the United States for approximately 15 years.
NEW: The suspect in the mass shooting in Austin this morning is Ndiaga Diagne, an American citizen born in Senegal and living in Pflugerville, TX. The shooting is being investigated as motivated by ideology. A Quran was found in his car.
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) March 1, 2026
FBI: “Potential Nexus to Terrorism”
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force quickly joined the investigation alongside local authorities.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office said during a Sunday morning press conference:
“Obviously, it’s still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation, but there were indicators on the subject and then his vehicle that indicate a potential nexus to terrorism.”
Fox News reporter Bill Melugin stated that the suspect was wearing a shirt reading “Property of Allah” during the attack.
A photo shared by journalist Tony Ortiz appeared to support that detail.
INBOX: received this photo of the alleged Austin mass shooter from last night. Reporting has said he has killed 3 and injured 14. pic.twitter.com/K0Ne25w5Pr
— Tony Ortiz (Current Revolt) (@CurrentRevolt) March 1, 2026
Attack Unfolded in Seconds
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said officers received a call about a man shooting from a large SUV that had been circling the block.
“At one point, he put his flashers on, rolled down his window, and began using a pistol, shooting out of his car windows, striking patrons of the bar that were on the patio and that were in front of the bar,” Davis said.
The gunman then exited the vehicle armed with a rifle and continued firing at passersby and bar patrons.
Police officers who were already stationed nearby to manage weekend crowds responded in less than a minute.
The suspect was shot and killed by responding officers.
Three people, including the gunman, were killed.
Fourteen additional victims were wounded, with at least three listed in critical condition.
Prior Arrest History
According to reports, Diagne had a history of arrests in Texas prior to the shooting, though details about those incidents have not yet been fully released.
The investigation remains ongoing as federal authorities work to determine whether the attack was inspired by extremist ideology.
With ideological materials reportedly recovered and terrorism investigators now involved, the case is likely to draw national scrutiny as officials seek answers about motive and potential radicalization.
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