PTC Web Desk: A 21-year-old Indian-American woman has been identified as one of the two victims killed in a mass shooting outside a bar in Austin, Texas, early Sunday morning. The incident left 14 others injured and has triggered a multi-agency investigation into a possible terror link.
Authorities confirmed that the deceased victims were Savitha Shan, 21, and Ryder Harrington, 19. The suspected gunman was shot dead during an exchange of fire with police officers responding to the scene.
The shooting took place outside Buford’s, a popular beer garden located in Austin’s entertainment district along Rio Grande Street.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said officers received an emergency call at 1:39 am reporting an active shooter at the establishment. Emergency medical teams and police personnel arrived at the scene within a minute and immediately began providing aid to the victims.
Investigators believe the suspect drove an SUV around the block before opening fire from the vehicle’s window at people gathered outside the bar. He later exited the vehicle and continued shooting while walking along the street. Responding officers confronted and fatally shot him.
The police recovered a handgun and a rifle at the scene, while additional weapons were discovered inside the SUV.
During a press briefing, Chief Davis stated that officials were still verifying whether the victims were enrolled in local colleges. However, several reports indicated that Savitha Shan was a student at the University of Texas at Austin, while Ryder Harrington was believed to be studying at Texas Tech University.
Authorities have not officially confirmed these details.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined local law enforcement through its Joint Terrorism Task Force to examine whether the attack had any extremist connections.
Officials revealed that certain materials found on the suspect and inside his vehicle suggested a “potential nexus to terrorism.” However, investigators cautioned that it is too early to determine a clear motive.
The FBI’s San Antonio field office said federal teams, including an Evidence Response Team, were deployed to assist the Austin Police Department. Authorities are examining whether the suspect may have acted alone or been influenced by extremist ideology.
Suspect identified
Multiple US officials identified the suspect as Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalised American citizen originally from Senegal. According to reports, he arrived in the United States in 2006 and became a citizen in 2013. Earlier, he lived in New York before relocating to Texas.
Law enforcement sources indicated that the suspect had a history of mental health episodes in Austin. Investigators are exploring whether these issues, along with possible ideological influences, played a role in the attack.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence said the National Counterterrorism Center is coordinating with the FBI and local agencies to evaluate any potential foreign connections.
US President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shooting, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that he has directed the Texas Military Department to activate service members under Operation Fury Shield and enhance patrols in downtown Austin’s 6th Street district.
Abbott expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured that the state would respond firmly to any threats.
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