Authorities in Texas are investigating a mass shooting at an Austin bar as a potential act of terrorism, with the suspect reportedly wearing a “Property of Allah” hoodie and expressing pro-Iranian sentiments. The attack occurred hours after US airstrikes on Iran, raising fears of further violence.
Police shot and killed Ndiaga Diagne, 53, a Senegalese-born US citizen, after he opened fire at a downtown bar popular with university students. Two people were killed and 14 wounded, some seriously. The FBI’s joint terrorism taskforce is probing Diagne’s motives and possible links to organised groups, though he appears to have been a lone actor.
FBI special agent Alex Doran said there were indicators of a potential nexus to terrorism but it was too early to make a determination. According to law enforcement, Diagne wore a T-shirt with an Iranian flag design under his hoodie. The Site Intelligence Group reported he had posted pro-Iranian regime sentiment and hatred for Israeli and American leadership on Facebook since 2017.
The victims were identified as Ryder Harrington, 19, a Texas Tech student, and Savitha Shan, 21, a University of Texas at Austin student. A vigil was held in Austin on Monday night. The escalating Middle East conflict has prompted heightened security measures nationwide, with the FBI and local police stepping up patrols at sensitive locations.
