Authorities have named the suspect in last night’s mass shooting in downtown Austin and federal agents are treating the case as a possible act of terrorism.
Investigators say a Quran was located inside the suspect’s car, a detail that prompted the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force to quickly join local authorities.
Reports identify the gunman as Ndiaga Diagne, an American citizen born in Senegal who had been living in Pflugerville, Texas.
NEW: The suspect in the mass shooting in Austin this morning is Ndiaga Diagne, an American citizen born in Senegal and living in Pflugerville, TX. The shooting is being investigated as motivated by ideology. A Quran was found in his car.
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) March 1, 2026
Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office told reporters the investigation is being handled as terrorism-linked at this stage.
Doran added that while it remains early, indicators from the subject and his vehicle suggested a potential nexus to terrorism.
Fox News reporter Bill Melugin said the shooter wore a shirt reading “Property Of Allah” during the attack, and a photo circulated that appears to confirm that detail.
INBOX: received this photo of the alleged Austin mass shooter from last night. Reporting has said he has killed 3 and injured 14. pic.twitter.com/K0Ne25w5Pr
— Tony Ortiz (Current Revolt) (@CurrentRevolt) March 1, 2026
The New York Post reported that Diagne, 53, had lived in the United States for about 15 years and had lived in New York City from 2000 through 2008.
Authorities say he had prior arrests in Texas before carrying out the attack.
Investigation details
The shooting began around 2 a.m. at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on West Sixth Street in Austin’s busy entertainment district near the University of Texas.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said officers received a report of a man firing from a large SUV that had been circling the block.
Davis described the suspect turning on his flashers, rolling down a window, and firing a pistol out of his car windows, striking patrons on the patio and in front of the bar.
The gunman then exited the vehicle carrying a rifle and continued shooting at passersby and bar patrons before officers engaged him.
Officers who were already deployed for weekend crowds responded in less than a minute and shot the attacker, who was later pronounced dead.
Casualties and response
Three people, including the gunman, were killed in the attack.
Fourteen others were wounded, at least three of them critically.
Local and federal law enforcement continue their work as the investigation proceeds.
