Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect the victim’s names released March 2.
Three people were killed, including the suspect, and 15 people were injured in a mass shooting on West Sixth Street early March 1. Law enforcement officials are investigating as a "potential matter of terrorism."
“This is, as I indicated earlier, obviously an extremely significant moment and a very significant event. It is one that has brought significant trauma to our city, and our hearts go out to the individual victims and their families as a result of this event," Mayor Kirk Watson said.
What happened
A shooting around Buford's at 700 W. Sixth St. was reported shortly before 2 a.m. March 1, according to the Austin Police Department.
A suspect had driven a large SUV around the block several times before putting his flashers on, rolling down his window and opening fire on bar patrons with a pistol, police Chief Lisa Davis said. The suspect then parked nearby on Wood Street, exited the vehicle with a rifle and began shooting at people walking by, Davis said.
Police stationed around the East Sixth Street entertainment district soon arrived on the scene and killed the suspect, later identified by APD as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne. Davis said police responded in less than a minute.
Austin police Chief Lisa Davis said first responders' quick response early March 1 likely 'saved multiple lives.' (Ben Thompson/Community Impact)
Alex Doran, acting special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's San Antonio field office, credited APD officers for an "extremely rapid response" that saved "countless lives." He said the shooting was potentially an act of terrorism, but declined to share any further details early March 1. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the shooting in coordination with APD.
“Obviously, it’s still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation, but there were indicators that, on the subject and in his vehicle, indicate potential nexus to terrorism," Doran said. "It’s still too early to make a determination on that. That’s why we are investigating it very closely with our partners with Austin Police Department."
Some items in the suspect's vehicle prompted "concern," and a search by APD's explosive disposal unit, Davis said, but the car was quickly cleared, and no bombs or related materials were found.
Austin police and federal law enforcement agents remained near Buford's on West Sixth Street March 1. (Ben Thompson/Community Impact)
Gov. Greg Abbott said he'd been in contact with Watson to offer state-level support in Austin, and that the Texas Department of Public Safety would be increasing patrols and have personnel around Sixth Street on weekends to "discourage criminal activity."
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.
The two deceased victims were identified March 2 as Savitha Shan, 24, and Ryder Harrington, 22. Further information about APD's investigation of the officer-involved shooting, including body-worn camera footage, could be provided March 5, Davis said.
"I just want to make sure everybody understands: we’re doing this well, and we’re doing it right, but that sometimes takes time," Watson said. "We will make sure that the public has the information as rapidly as is professional and appropriate.”
A closer look
Medics were treating patients on the scene within 57 seconds of the first calls for service, according to Robert Luckritz, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services chief. The rapid response came through an APD-EMS partnership that has paramedics embedded with law enforcement during peak weekend entertainment hours, he said.
Three people, including the shooter, were pronounced dead on scene, and 14 were transported to local hospitals, three in critical condition, Luckritz said. Watson later said an additional victim had also taken themselves to a hospital.
“In total, we had more than 20 EMS resources that responded to the scene. We had all critical patients off the scene within 24 minutes and all patients off the scene within 47 minutes," Luckritz said.
Officials credited the city departments' planning and coordination around weekend entertainment hours for the outcomes on scene March 1.
"We know East Sixth Street is a large party atmosphere and streets are closed, they’re opened, we’re mitigating a lot of people in that small space. So to have EMS, fire and APD together working, it was just for things like this," Davis said. "We’re very fortunate in those partnerships, and we work very well together, very proud of that, and it showed that it worked. Again, I feel like a lot of lives were saved for this."
Council member Zo Qadri also pointed to the city's recent funding of downtown safety resources, including the joint EMS-APD Counter-Assault Strike Team Paramedics, or CASTMED, program he promoted funding in 2024. Luckritz said "significant investment" in public safety resources over the past several years, including staging more first responder utility vehicles downtown on weekends, contributed to the departments' response this weekend.
“All those resources came together today as planned, and had all of the things that we needed in place to be able to effectively manage the scene," he said.
What else?
Anyone with information, photos or videos from the incident can share materials with APD online or call the department's tip line at 512-974-8477.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program online or by calling 512-472-8477. Information can be provided to the FBI online or by calling 800-225-5324.
Qadri said the shooting and possible terroristic motivation "violates people’s safety" and advised residents to remain alert during major upcoming events in the city.
“We’re getting closer to festival season," he said. "Once again, thank APD and EMS, and I know they’ll continue to be on the ground. As folks go out, make sure if you see something, say something and just be aware of surroundings."
