FBI investigating Austin mass shooting as potential terrorism
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The shooting took place at Buford's Bar on West Sixth Street in Austin. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
The gunman in an early Sunday mass shooting in Austin wore a sweatshirt that said "Property of Allah" and another shirt with an Iranian flag design, a law enforcement official told AP.
- The FBI is investigating the shooting in a downtown bar district as a potential act of terrorism.
Catch up quick: Austin police identified the shooter as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne. He was a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal, the law enforcement official and another person familiar with the matter told AP.
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott drew a link to the Middle East conflict in a Sunday statement, though FBI officials haven't confirmed any such connection.
- "To anyone who thinks about using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texans or our critical infrastructure, understand this clearly: Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state," he said.
Catch up quick: The FBI declined to say if it was treating the shooting as domestic or foreign terrorism. The incident left three dead and 14 injured.
- "It's still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation," said Alex Doran, acting special agent in charge of the FBI's San Antonio field office.
Between the lines: The FBI found "indicators" on the suspect and in his vehicle pointing to a "potential nexus to terrorism," Doran said at a news conference. He declined to elaborate.
- No explosives were found in the suspect's van, according to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis.
Zoom in: Three of the 14 people hospitalized are in critical condition, EMS officials said.
- The first 911 call came around 1:58am, officials said, and the first paramedic arrived within 57 seconds.
- Davis said the suspect drove around the block multiple times then activated his flashers and shot a pistol at customers on Buford's outdoor patio on West Sixth Street.
- He then parked on another street and fired a rifle at pedestrians, Davis said. Officers shot and killed him at an intersection near East Sixth Street, according to Davis.
West Sixth Street is home to bars and restaurants and is a popular nightlife destination for University of Texas students and others.
- It's a few blocks from Austin's historic East Sixth Street entertainment district, where Austin police and EMS have heavily increased their presence in recent years to improve safety in the area.
- In his statement, Abbott said he directed state troopers to increase weekend patrols along Sixth Street.
What they're saying: "I want to again reiterate my thanks to our public safety officers and officials that so rapidly were on the scene," Mayor Kirk Watson said in the press conference. "They definitely saved lives."
- "Today is a difficult day for our city and the University," University of Texas at Austin president Jim Davis said in a statement. "We are deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred early this morning in downtown Austin. Our prayers are with the victims and all those impacted, including members of our Longhorn family, and my heart goes out to their families, friends, classmates, professors, and loved ones."
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This is a breaking news story and will be updated.