(The Center Square) – An investigation is ongoing into an alleged Islamic terrorist shooting that occurred in downtown Austin in the early morning hours Sunday.
About 2 a.m. on Sunday, Ndiaga Diagne, 53, from Senegal, opened fire outside of Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden alongside Sixth Street, a packed bar and night club area near the University of Texas at Austin. According to the Austin Police Department, Diagne drove past the bar packed with students and circled back, opening fire. He then parked, got out of his vehicle and began shooting. Off-duty police officers working nightlife security responded in less than a minute and shot him dead.
Diagne was wearing clothes with an Iranian flag stating “Property of Allah,” according to multiple news reports. The shooting rampage took place roughly 24 hours after the U.S. military began strikes in Iran, killing its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism.
APD Chief Lisa Davis said on Monday they are still in the early hours of the investigation, the crime scene area is large and they have more than 150 witnesses. Additional information is coming in hourly and the injured count is growing, she said. Initially, 14 people were reported injured; however, that number has since grown.
The APD identified the two victims who were killed as 21-year-old Savitha Shan, a UT student, and 19-year-old Ryder Harrington, a Texas Tech student.
It’s also asking for help from members of the public, stating, “If anyone has video, audio, or any other digital evidence” to submit it online. Anyone needing APD Victim Services or trying to locate their property are encouraged to call 512-974-5037.
Mayor Kirk Watson and Davis both praised the swift and brave response of APD officers, saying they did what they were trained to do.
Several UT students were injured, UT President Jim Davis said in a statement. Some of the injuries “are very serious and we are hoping for the best outcomes, while others are on the path to recovery. I have met with many of these families and will continue to pray for them.”
“Texas mourns with the families and loved ones of those who were horrifically killed,” Gov. Greg Abbott said, adding that he and his wife were praying “for the swift recovery of those who were injured.”
“This act of violence will not define us, nor will it shake the resolve of Texans,” he said. “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.”
Abbott directed the Texas Military Department to activate service members under Operation Fury Shield to work with state and federal law enforcement partners to heighten safety measures statewide, including securing critical infrastructure. “Patrols have been increased at vital energy facilities, ports, and along our border,” he said. “We have bolstered cybersecurity personnel and deployed unmanned aerial surveillance to monitor and protect critical infrastructure sites.”
He also directed the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas National Guard to intensify patrols and surveillance statewide. “Texas is relentlessly working with our federal partners to ensure every necessary resource is deployed to defend our communities,” he said.
He directed DPS to increase patrols and added law enforcement personnel along 6th Street in downtown Austin during weekends.
“We must ensure enough boots on the ground to discourage criminal activity. Texans are strong. We will not be intimidated, and we will not be terrorized. We will defend our state without hesitation,” Abbott said.
On Monday, Republicans in Texas’ House of Representatives called on Congress to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security and freeze H-1B, visas claiming not doing so would put more American lives at risk.
Diagne first entered the country in 2000 under the George W. Bush administration on a B-2 tourist visa. He then applied for lawful permanent residency six years later after he married a U.S. citizen, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He also legally purchased the firearm he used, Davis said.
“The American people – and the people of Texas – demand immigration policies that place the safety and welfare of Americans first. Every day that Congress fails to act is another day that puts American lives at risk,” the delegation wrote to congressional leaders.
They also called on Congress to properly vet everyone entering the country and implement a comprehensive audit of existing visa holders. “We must know who is in this country, why they are here, and whether they pose a risk to national security,” they wrote. “More Americans will be killed if Congress continues to treat border security and immigration enforcement as political footballs.
“If Congress refuses to act, then Congress must empower the states to act. … [The Texas legislature] will use every legal and legislative tool available to protect our citizens, with or without federal cooperation.”
