Austin Bar Shooting Leaves Three Dead, 14 Injured; Potential Terrorism Link Investigated
AUSTIN, Texas – A shooting early Sunday at a popular Austin bar left three people dead, including the suspected gunman, and wounded 14 others, authorities said. The incident occurred at Buford’s, a beer garden in the city’s entertainment district, shortly before 2 a.m. local time.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis described the initial attack as a drive-by shooting. A man in an SUV reportedly activated his flashers, lowered his window, and opened fire with a pistol on patrons seated on the bar’s patio and in front of the establishment.
The suspect then exited the vehicle, armed with a rifle, and continued shooting at people passing by. Police quickly responded and engaged the gunman, fatally shooting him.
“Officers who had been working the nearby East 6th Street entertainment corridor rapidly responded to the scene,” Davis stated in a Facebook video released by CBS Austin [2].
Authorities are investigating a possible connection to terrorism. “There were indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism,” said a spokesperson, adding it was too early to draw definitive conclusions [1].
The shooting adds to a growing tally of gun violence across the United States. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been over 80 mass shootings in the U.S. so far in 2026 [3].
The investigation is ongoing, and police have not yet released the identities of the victims or the suspect. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
