The Austin Police Department (APD) held a news conference Thursday to release body cam footage and surveillance videos from a deadly mass shooting that left three victims and the shooter dead over the weekend. According to APD Chief Lisa Davis, the total number of victims has risen to 19.
Key Takeaways
The Austin Police Department released body cam footage of a deadly mass shooting that left three victims and the shooter dead. The suspect, identified as Ndiaga Diagne, opened fire outside a popular bar using an AR-15 rifle after initially firing from his vehicle with a pistol. Authorities are investigating potential ties to terrorism due to Diagne's clothing and social media posts.
- Austin Police Department releases body cam footage of the deadly mass shooting that left three victims dead.
- Suspect Ndiaga Diagne, wearing a shirt resembling the Iranian flag under a hoodie that said 'Property of Allah,' opened fire outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden using an AR-15 rifle and a pistol.
- Authorities are investigating potential ties to terrorism after finding evidence suggesting Diagne had antisemitic, anti-Christian, and pro-Iranian posts on social media.
- The FBI is assisting in the investigation as authorities examine digital evidence found at Diagne’s home.
During the incident, suspect Ndiaga Diagne drove by Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in a black SUV while shooting into the crowd outside. He then parked and walked back towards the bar with an AR-15 rifle, opening fire again. Terrified bystanders pointed out Diagne to responding officers, who engaged him in gunfire; three officers returned fire, killing him.
The FBI is investigating possible ties to terrorism due to Diagne's clothing—a shirt resembling the Iranian flag under a hoodie that said 'Property of Allah'—and his social media posts. Sources familiar with the investigation suggest that the war in Iran may have influenced the attack, which occurred shortly after U.S. and Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Iranian military targets.
Diagne had a history of antisemitic, anti-Christian, and pro-Iranian posts on social media. Authorities also discovered he had mental health issues; in one encounter with police in Texas, officers responded to a suicidal crisis involving him. Diagne was an immigrant from Senegal who became an American citizen in 2013.
The victims identified are Ryder Harrington, 19, Savitha Shan, 21, and Jorge Pederson, 30. The FBI is actively assisting local authorities in the investigation to determine if terrorism was a factor.
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