Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Senegal, carried out a shooting in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, killing two people and injuring 14 others. Authorities are investigating potential terrorism ties due to items found with the suspect, including an Iranian flag and a Quran. Diagne had a history of reckless driving in New York City that left a pedestrian with severe injuries in 2016.
The shooting occurred just before 2 a.m. on Sunday near Buford’s bar on West Sixth Street in Austin, Texas, according to reports from KVUE and The Daily Wire. Ndiaga Diagne, identified as the suspect, opened fire, resulting in the deaths of Savitha Shan and Ryder Harrington. Fourteen others were wounded, with one expected to be taken off life support soon and two remaining in critical condition, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said during a Monday press conference.
Diagne was wearing a sweatshirt reading “Property of Allah” with a t-shirt featuring the Iranian flag underneath at the time of the attack, multiple reports confirmed. A search of his home revealed an Iranian flag and images of Iranian leaders, while a Quran was found in his vehicle, according to CBS News and The Daily Wire. Alex Doran, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio field office, stated that investigators are examining a “potential nexus to terrorism.” Authorities noted that Diagne purchased his firearms legally and had not previously appeared on law enforcement’s radar.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Chief Davis addressed the media on Monday, describing the crime scene as large and complicated, requiring interviews with over 150 witnesses. They promised to release body-worn camera footage after review and scheduled another press conference for Thursday to provide more details on the suspect and motive. Officials emphasized that information would be shared as appropriate during the ongoing investigation.
Prior to the shooting, Diagne was involved in a 2016 incident in Brooklyn, New York, where he drove a company car recklessly and struck pedestrian Jennifer Antoine on January 30, the New York Post reported, citing a lawsuit. The suit alleged that Antoine sustained “severe and permanent personal injuries,” including damage to her nervous system, mental anguish, and incapacity to perform her usual duties, potentially leading to a loss of quality of life. It claimed Diagne and his employer were “negligent, careless, reckless, grossly negligent” in operating the vehicle. The outcome of the lawsuit remains unclear. Diagne worked as a taxi driver in the 2010s, with his license expiring in 2020; it is unknown if a taxi was involved in the 2016 crash.
Speculation about a possible lone-wolf domestic terror attack linked to recent Iran strikes has emerged, though no motive has been confirmed.
