Austin mass shooting investigated as potential terrorism; 3 dead, 14 injured

A mass shooting outside a downtown Austin bar is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism after a gunman opened fire, leaving three people dead, including the suspect, and injuring 14 others, according to officials.

The attack occurred at about 1:58 a.m. Sunday near Buford’s bar on East 6th Street, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said during a briefing. A large SUV drove several times around the block before the driver activated its flashers, rolled down a window and began firing a pistol at patrons who were on the patio and in front of the bar.

The suspect then proceeded westbound on 6th Street to Wood Street, where he parked, exited the vehicle and began shooting again, this time with a rifle, at people walking nearby.

Officers were about 55 seconds away when the initial call came in and encountered the suspect as he moved east on 6th Street, Davis said. At an intersection, officers shot him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said 17 patients were treated. Three people, including the suspect, were pronounced dead at the scene, and 14 others were transported to local hospitals. Three remain in critical condition.

FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran said the Joint Terrorism Task Force is engaged and working alongside the Austin Police Department. He said it was too early to determine an exact motive, but that there were indicators involving the suspect and in his vehicle that suggest a potential nexus to terrorism.

Texas Congressman Chip Roy said he had heard from multiple sources that the suspect wore a shirt reading “Property of Allah.” Roy also said a Quran was found in the vehicle and that the suspect had naturalized as a U.S. citizen after immigrating from Senegal more than a decade ago.

Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that the suspect was possibly wearing an undershirt or T-shirt displaying an Iranian flag or other Iranian representations. Authorities have not publicly confirmed that detail.

“There are families right now that are unfortunately identifying their loved ones, there are families who are at hospital rooms waiting for outcomes from surgery,” Police Chief Davis said. “That’s the reality that we are dealing out today.”

Responding to questions, Davis said there were items inside the suspect’s vehicle that raised concerns and led to a response from explosive ordnance disposal teams. The vehicle was cleared and no bomb or bomb materials were found.

The shooting and its aftermath were captured in several videos recorded by witnesses. In one video filmed outside the bar, people can be seen taking cover as the gunman appears to fire a weapon toward arriving officers before being shot multiple times.

Other videos show victims lying on the ground as officers, EMS personnel and bystanders perform CPR and provide medical aid.