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A gunman with ties to the Bronx killed three people and wounded 14 others in a mass shooting outside a popular Austin, Texas, bar early Sunday, and the FBI is now investigating the attack as a potential act of terrorism.
The suspect, identified as Ndiaga Diagne, 53, opened fire just before 2 a.m. near Buford's Backyard Beer Garden on West 6th Street — a busy nightlife strip just a few miles from the University of Texas at Austin. Diagne was shot and killed by Austin police officers at the scene.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, Diagne's last known address was in the Bronx. He had one prior arrest on his New York record for illegal vending. Sources also said he had a known history of mental health issues.
According to CBS Austin, Diagne first came to the United States in 2000 on a B-2 tourist visa. He became a lawful permanent resident in 2006 after marrying a U.S. citizen, and he became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2013. He was originally from Senegal.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said Diagne drove a large SUV around the block several times before stopping, rolling down his window, and opening fire with a pistol at people on the bar's patio and in front of the establishment. He then drove about two blocks west, parked, got out of the vehicle, and continued shooting at passersby — this time with a rifle. Officers who were already working the nearby entertainment district rushed to the scene and confronted Diagne at an intersection, where they shot and killed him.
"As the officers responded, our suspect was coming toward them," Davis said.
Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said paramedics received the first call at 1:59 a.m. and arrived on scene within 57 seconds. Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and 14 were transported to area hospitals, with three in critical condition. All patients were off the scene within 47 minutes.
As reported by the Associated Press, Diagne was wearing a sweatshirt reading "Property of Allah" and another shirt featuring an Iranian flag design at the time of the attack. A Quran was also found in his vehicle, and a search of his residence in Pflugerville, Texas, turned up an Iranian flag and pictures of Iranian leaders.
The shooting took place one day after the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran. Alex Doran, acting special agent-in-charge of the FBI's San Antonio office, said investigators found "indicators" on the suspect and in his vehicle pointing to a "potential nexus to terrorism," though he stopped short of declaring a motive.
"It's way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation, but there were indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate a potential nexus to terrorism," Doran said.
The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the shooting. Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed the Department of Public Safety to increase patrols in the Sixth Street area and issued a stark warning.
"This act of violence will not define us, nor will it shake the resolve of Texans," Abbott 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."
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the rapid response of first responders. "They definitely saved lives," he said.
University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis said the tragedy affected "members of our Longhorn family." Eyewitness Nathan Comeaux, a 22-year-old UT senior, told the AP the bar was packed with college students when the shooting erupted.
"The UT community has definitely been majorly affected by this," Comeaux said.
The FBI and Austin police continue to work jointly on the investigation. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims. Anyone searching for a loved one connected to the shooting can call APD's Victim Services Unit at 512-974-5037.
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