Austin Bar Shooting Investigated as Potential Act of Terrorism Amidst Rising US-Iran Tensions
AUSTIN, Texas – Authorities are investigating a shooting at a popular Austin bar that left three people dead and 14 injured as a potential act of terrorism, according to the FBI. The incident occurred shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday in a busy entertainment district near the University of Texas.
The gunman, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal, opened fire outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, police said. Witnesses reported Diagne drove past the venue multiple times before stopping and firing a pistol at patrons gathered outside. He then exited the vehicle armed with a rifle and continued shooting before being fatally shot by responding officers.
Photos released by authorities show Diagne wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with the words “Property of Allah” and displaying clothing with an Iranian flag. A Quran was also reportedly found in his vehicle.
The shooting comes on the heels of a large-scale U.S. and Israeli strike on Iran, which resulted in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, senior officials, and numerous civilians, including over 100 children, according to Iranian authorities. Tehran has since retaliated with missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. and Israeli military bases in the Middle East.
A law enforcement source familiar with the investigation told the New York Post the violence may have been “potentially an act of vengeance over the U.S. attack on Iran.” Alex Doran, the acting agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio office, confirmed the investigation is proceeding under the premise of potential terrorism, though he cautioned it is “still too early to make a determination.”
The incident has sparked renewed debate over the U.S.’s military involvement in the region. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only one in four Americans support the recent strikes on Iran, with roughly half of respondents expressing concern that President Donald Trump is too quick to resort to military force.
Despite the public’s reservations, President Trump defended the actions in a Sunday evening address, stating, “Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved.”
The shooting occurred just two miles from the University of Texas campus and less than a mile from the Texas Capitol building. The investigation is ongoing.
À lire aussi