Investigators searching the home of the suspect in Sunday’s deadly shooting outside a bar in Austin, Texas, recovered an Iranian flag along with photographs of Iranian regime leaders, according to authorities. The FBI is examining the incident as a potential act of terrorism. Officers ultimately shot and killed the suspect.
The items were discovered during a search of the suspect’s apartment following the early morning attack that killed three people and injured 14 others. Law enforcement sources also said the gunman was dressed in a sweatshirt bearing the phrase “Property of Allah” and wore an undershirt displaying an Iranian flag at the time of the shooting.
The suspect, identified as Ndiaga Diagne, was a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal who lived in Pflugerville, Texas, multiple federal law enforcement sources told Fox News.
According to officials, Diagne entered the United States in 2000 on a B-2 tourist visa. He later obtained lawful permanent resident status in 2006 after marrying a U.S. citizen and became a naturalized citizen in 2013.
Records show Diagne had a prior arrest in Texas in 2022 related to a vehicle collision that resulted in property damage.
The shooting unfolded shortly before 2 a.m. outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on Sixth Street, a popular nightlife area near the University of Texas at Austin known for its concentration of bars and music venues.
Police Chief Lisa Davis said the gunman “put his flashers on, rolled down his window and began using a pistol shooting out of his car windows, striking patrons of the bar that were on the patio and that were in front of the Bar.” She added that the suspect then drove west on Sixth Street to Wood Street, parked, exited his vehicle with a rifle, and continued firing at pedestrians, though he never entered the bar.
University of Texas President Jim Davis addressed the tragedy in a statement posted on X. “Today is a difficult day for our city and the University,” he wrote. “We are deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred early this morning in downtown Austin. Our prayers are with the victims and all those impacted, including members of our Longhorn family. We are also grateful to the first responders who acted quickly to save lives, and to our UT counselors and staff members who have provided care and support throughout the day.”