A West Sixth Street bar popular with University of Texas students was instantly transformed into a tableau of carnage early yesterday morning, potentially connecting Austin to the geopolitics of the Middle East.

Why it matters: The shooting at Buford's left three people dead and 14 injured.

• The gunman 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.

• As of yesterday evening, authorities had not identified the victims.

Between the lines: Gov. Greg Abbott drew a link to the U.S.-Iran war in a statement.

• "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.

What they're saying: "It's still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation," Alex Doran, acting special agent in charge of the FBI's San Antonio field office, said on Sunday.

• No explosives were found in the suspect's van, according to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis.

What happened: Davis said the suspect drove around the block multiple times then activated his flashers and shot a pistol at customers on the outdoor patio at Buford's.

• 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.

• The first 911 call came around 1:58am, officials said, and the first paramedic arrived within 57 seconds.

The bottom line: "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 yesterday. "They definitely saved lives."

A Waymo robotaxi picking up a passenger near yesterday's mass shooting blocked an ambulance from reaching the scene, according to a bystander video. Waymo and EMS officials confirmed the video shows the company's vehicle blocking the ambulance.

Why it matters: The incident raises fresh questions about how autonomous vehicles operate near chaotic emergency scenes — and whether the technology is fully prepared for unpredictable, high-stakes situations.

• A Waymo official confirmed to Axios that the vehicle was en route to pick up a rider near the shooting on West Sixth Street.

Driving the news: A video circulating on social media shows a Waymo vehicle stopped and completely blocking a street as an ambulance attempts to pass.

• The autonomous vehicle slowly inches forward as a police cruiser pulls up behind it.
• An Austin police officer then gets out of the car to talk to the company through the car's speaker system. After at least a minute, the car drives away and into a parking garage, and the video ends.

Between the lines: Waymo has faced complaints in Austin and other cities about its vehicles failing to properly yield to emergency responders.

• In recent months, Waymo's cars have come under scrutiny for illegally passing Austin school district buses.
• The company issued a voluntary software recall in December in response to a federal safety probe of its vehicles for illegally passing school buses.

What EMS said

🌙 Central Texans will be able to see a total lunar eclipse — when the Moon enters the Earth's shadow — beginning at 3:35am tomorrow. It'll reach peak totality at 6:03am. (KXAN)

🍎 U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited an Austin elementary school on Friday as part of a nutrition push. (KUT)

🚧 The Texas Department of Transportation will detour drivers in North Austin nightly this week as it repairs a flyover that prompted concerns after a viral video showed a gap in a bridge joint. (Austin American-Statesman)

⚽️ Austin FC defeated D.C. United 1-0 yesterday at Q2 Stadium, with a goal scored in the 82nd minute by veteran striker Christian Ramírez, acquired by the team on Friday. (Associated Press)

🎈1 big thing: For five years, Axios has delivered smart, trustworthy local news to communities like yours — and we're just getting started.

Why it matters: Memberships sustain the journalism you rely on and help us keep delivering strong, independent reporting focused on what matters most.

Your newsletter helps you stay informed and connected. Help us power the next five years of Axios Austin by becoming a member today.

"Today is a difficult day for our city and the university," University of Texas at Austin president Jim Davis said in a statement, following the shooting at Buford's.

What they're saying: "We are deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred early this morning in downtown Austin," he continued. "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."