Revised on March 1, 2026, at 4:46 p.m. ET
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking into “indicators” that may point to a potential terrorism connection following a bar shooting in Austin on the early morning of March 1, which resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals and left 14 others injured.
The Austin Police reported that two individuals lost their lives in the shooting incident, and Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed during a press briefing that the suspect was shot and killed by law enforcement.
Davis reported that the individual drove around Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden multiple times in an SUV shortly before 2 a.m. local time, then halted and discharged a handgun from the vehicle. After that, he parked, exited the car, and continued to fire both the handgun and a rifle.
Davis reported that officers assigned to the entertainment area where the bar is situated shot and killed the assailant.
Officials have not yet disclosed the name of the suspect, but reports from the Associated Press, Austin NBC affiliate KXAN, and the Austin American-Statesman, citing unnamed sources, indicate that the individual is 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne. Both the AP and the Statesman noted that Diagne hails from Senegal. USA TODAY has contacted the FBI to verify the identity of the suspect.
Fourteen individuals were taken to the hospital following the incident. According to Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Chief Robert Luckritz during the press briefing, three of those transported were in critical condition. He noted that medical teams arrived at the scene in under a minute.
"I firmly believe that the swift actions of our police officers, EMS teams, and other professionals made a significant impact and ultimately saved lives," stated Austin Mayor Kirk Watson during the press conference.
At a press conference, Alex Doran, the acting head of the FBI’s San Antonio division, stated that the suspect exhibited “signs both in the subject and within his vehicle that suggest a possible connection to terrorism.”
Doran refrained from revealing the specific “indicators” when questioned during the press conference, stating that “we’re still in the very early phases of the investigation and we wouldn’t want to inadvertently influence any subsequent investigative measures.”
Karoline Leavitt, the Press Secretary for the White House, stated on X that President Donald Trump has been "informed about the shooting incident."
Texas Democratic Representative Greg Casar, representing East Austin, stated in a social media update that he “will advocate for complete transparency for the families and the public.” Meanwhile, Republican Senator John Cornyn mentioned in a post on X that FBI Director Kash Patel informed him during a phone conversation that the Austin Police “is leading the investigation, with support from the FBI.”
On the same day, a mass shooting at a concert venue in Cincinnati left at least nine individuals injured. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 56 incidents of mass shootings in 2026, where four or more individuals were harmed.
Contributors: N’dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY
This narrative has been revised to include additional details.
