**AUSTIN, TX — **The city of Austin is in mourning after a targeted mass shooting on Sixth Street turned a night of celebration into a scene of national security concern.
At 1:39 AM on Sunday, March 1, 2026, a gunman identified as Ndiaga Diagne, 53, launched a calculated attack outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, leaving two dead and 14 wounded.
As of March 2, 2026, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) has taken a lead role in the investigation, citing "indicators" of a potential nexus to international terrorism.
**The Attack: From SUV to Foot Pursuit
According to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, Diagne circled the block multiple times in a black SUV before beginning his assault:
- Drive-by Phase: Diagne first opened fire with a handgun from his vehicle's window, targeting patrons on the crowded patio of Buford’s.
- Ground Assault: He then parked, exited the vehicle with a rifle, and continued shooting at pedestrians fleeing the area.
- The Takedown: Three Austin police officers, who were already stationed nearby for weekend crowd control, engaged Diagne within 60 seconds of the first shot. Diagne was killed in the shootout.
The Victims: Lives Cut Short
The two deceased victims were identified on Monday as young members of the Texas college community:
- Ryder Harrington (19): A student at Texas Tech University and a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He was described by his brother as the "best mix" of their family.
- Savitha Shan (21): A dual-degree student at the University of Texas at Austin. A local graduate of LASA High School, she was remembered by UT President Jim Davis as a "Longhorn preparing to change the world."
- Critical Condition: Of the 14 injured, at least one other victim is currently on life support, and two remain in critical condition.
The Terror Nexus: The Iran Connection
The FBI is investigating whether the attack was a "lone-wolf" retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that occurred just 24 hours prior—strikes that reportedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- The Attire: When Diagne was killed, he was wearing a sweatshirt that read "Property of Allah" over a T-shirt featuring the Iranian flag.
- The Search: A search of Diagne’s home in Del Valle uncovered an Iranian flag and photographs of Iranian leaders. A Quran was also found in his SUV.
- Digital Footprint: Intelligence groups have flagged Facebook posts from Diagne dating back to 2017 that expressed pro-Iranian regime sentiments and "hatred for Israeli and American leadership."
Governor Abbott’s Response: "Operation Fury Shield"
Governor Greg Abbott has responded by placing the state on high alert.
He has activated the Texas Military Department under Operation Fury Shield, deploying National Guard members to protect energy facilities, ports, and the southern border.
"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," Abbott stated.
Diagne, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal, had lived in New York before moving to Texas in 2017. While he had a history of mental health contacts and a 2022 arrest for a vehicle collision, he was not on any active federal terror watchlists at the time of the shooting.