Austin Texas Shooting: 3 Dead, 14 Hospitalized in Mass Shooting at Buford's Bar on 6th Street — FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Joins Investigation
A mass shooting has devastated Austin's beloved 6th Street entertainment district in the early hours of Sunday, March 1, 2026. A gunman opened fire outside Buford's Backyard Beer Garden on West 6th Street just before 2 a.m. as bars were closing and crowds filled the sidewalks. Three people are dead — including the shooter, who was killed by police — and 14 others have been hospitalized, three of them in critical condition. The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined the investigation based on preliminary evidence recovered at the scene.
What Happened: The Timeline of the Austin Shooting at Buford's Bar
Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said paramedics and police officers arrived at the shooting scene and began treating patients 57 seconds after receiving a call around 1:59 a.m. in front of Buford's bar on West 6th Street. That 57-second response was made possible by the heavy police presence already working the nearby East 6th Street corridor as bars were winding down for the night.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said three officers returned fire, killing a male suspect. Two victims were pronounced dead on scene. Three of those hospitalized remain in critical condition. The shooter is believed to have used a pistol and an assault rifle in the attack. Police initially said a suspect was taken into custody before clarifying the man was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot by officers.
FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Joins the Austin Shooting Investigation
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined the investigation based on preliminary evidence found on the scene. The involvement of the JTTF marks a significant escalation in the severity of this case. Federal authorities typically deploy the task force when evidence suggests possible ideological, extremist, or coordinated motivation behind an attack. No specific details about what triggered their involvement have been released publicly as of Sunday morning.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed federal partners are assisting in the investigation and that the scene will take several hours to process. People who are searching for loved ones are asked to call the Austin Police Department Victim Services Unit at 512-974-5037.
Austin Mayor Watson Praises Officers' Speed of Response
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said he was very thankful for the speed with which public safety officials responded, adding that there was not any question that it saved lives. The mayor said he will continue to update the public throughout Sunday as more details become available. Austin Police Chief Davis also praised officers for rapidly transitioning from their East 6th Street post to West 6th the moment the shooting call came in.
Witnesses said there was sudden gunfire as crowds were leaving bars and walking on the street. One local described "absolute chaos" with people running and screaming for cover as shots rang out. Buford's Backyard Beer Garden, located at the 700 block of West 6th Street at Rio Grande, is one of the most frequented outdoor bars in Austin's entertainment strip.
What We Know About the Shooter — Identity and Motive Still Unknown
There was no initial word on the shooter's identity or motive. Three Austin Police Department officers encountered a suspect armed with a gun as they entered Buford's Bar just before 2 a.m. local time. The officers returned fire, fatally shooting the man. The shooter's name has not been released pending family notification and the ongoing investigation.
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force's immediate involvement suggests investigators are treating the possibility of a non-random motive seriously — though Austin police have not confirmed any specific theory publicly. The dual weapon report — a pistol and an assault rifle — points toward a premeditated attack rather than a spontaneous altercation.
Austin Shooting Victims: Where to Find Information Right Now
Of the 17 total patients treated at the scene, 3 were pronounced dead — including the shooter — and 14 were transported to area hospitals. Three remain in critical condition. Austin Police Department and the FBI are now jointly investigating the scene at Buford's on West 6th Street and Rio Grande. The scene will remain closed to the public for several hours. Anyone seeking information about loved ones should call the Austin Police Department Victim Services Unit at 512-974-5037. Anyone with information or video from the scene is urged to contact Austin PD or the FBI immediately.
