The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined the investigation after at least two people were killed and 14 others wounded in a mass shooting overnight at a popular bar in Austin, Texas, authorities said Sunday. The gunman was also killed, police said.
There was no initial word on the shooter’s motive. Multiple U.S. officials identified the suspect as Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalized American citizen born in Senegal.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said police received a call for reports of a man shooting at Buford’s, a beer garden in the city’s entertainment district.
Fourteen people were hospitalized, and three were in critical condition, Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said.
“We received a call at 1:39 a.m., and within 57 seconds, the first paramedics and officers were on scene actively treating the patients,” Luckritz said.
At a briefing on Sunday, the FBI said the Joint Terrorism Task Force is engaged in the investigation. They said there were indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that suggest a potential nexus to terrorism, but that it is too early to determine the motivation.
They said a pistol and a rifle were found at the scene.
The FBI is serving search warrants on the case Sunday, U.S. officials told CBS News.
Two law enforcement sources told CBS News that investigators say the shooter had had prior mental episodes in Austin. They are looking at whether the shooter was influenced by extremist ideology, and if there is a nexus to international terrorism, but cautioned that the individual had prior mental health issues.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Sunday that he has directed the Texas Military Department to activate service members under Operation Fury Shield, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to increase patrols and surveillance. He also directed the state’s Department of Public Safety to increase patrols and add law enforcement personnel in downtown Austin’s 6th Street District.
“Texas mourns with the families and loved ones of those who were horrifically killed in last night’s attack in Austin. Cecilia and I pray for them, and we pray for the swift recovery of those who were injured,” he said in a statement.
“This act of violence will not define us, nor will it shake the resolve of Texans. 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,” Abbott added.
Sen. Ted Cruz told “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Sunday morning that “we don’t know for sure” if the shooting was related to terrorism.
“At this point, we don’t know what the evidence will show in terms of whether this was an act of terrorism,” Cruz said.
Davis noted how fortunate it was that there was a heavy police presence in Austin’s entertainment district at the time, enabling officers to respond quickly as bars were closing.
“Officers immediately transitioned … and were faced with the individual with a gun,” she said. “Three of our officers returned fire, killing the suspect.”
She called the shooting” a tragic, tragic incident.”
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said his heart goes out to the victims, and he praised the swift response of first responders.
“They definitely saved lives,” he said.
Austin police asked anyone with information about witnesses or videos to submit it online or call 512-974-TIPS.
