Austin Shooting UPDATE: Suspect Identified as Ndiaga Diagne — FBI Confirms Potential Terrorism Nexus, Quran Found in SUV
Sunday, March 1, 2026 — Major new developments have broken in the Buford's Backyard Beer Garden mass shooting on Austin's 6th Street. The suspect has been identified, terrorism indicators have been formally confirmed by the FBI, and investigators are racing to establish the motive as the nation absorbs another devastating attack. Here is the complete, updated account of everything known right now.
Austin Shooting Suspect Identified: Ndiaga Diagne, Naturalized American Citizen Born in Senegal
Three U.S. officials told CBS News the suspect is a naturalized American citizen born in Senegal. The shooter has been identified as Ndiaga Diagne, a Senegal-born American citizen living in Pflugerville, Texas. Sources told the New York Post that he had numerous prior arrests in Texas and had been a naturalized citizen for approximately 15 years. Austin police have not yet officially confirmed his name, but federal sources speaking to CBS News and NBC News have corroborated the identification.
FBI Confirms "Potential Nexus to Terrorism" — Quran Found in Suspect's Vehicle
Alex Doran, acting special agent in charge of the FBI San Antonio Division, said at a news conference: "Obviously, it's still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation, but there were indicators on the subject and then his vehicle that indicate a potential nexus to terrorism." "In terms of specifically what type of terrorism, we're just at this point prepared to say that it was potentially an act of terrorism," Doran said.
The New York Post reported that a Quran was found in his car by investigators, and the suspect was described as wearing Islamic garb. Davis said once the suspect's vehicle was identified, authorities searched it for bomb materials and quickly cleared it, finding no explosives. The FBI has deployed multiple specialized teams including its evidence response and digital forensics units to process the scene.
How the Austin Shooting at Buford's Happened: The Full Attack Timeline
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said a large SUV drove several times around the block in that area. "At one point, he 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."
The suspect then parked near Wood Street, got out, and continued shooting with a pistol and later a rifle as he walked east on 6th Street. Davis confirmed the suspect never entered Buford's bar but fired shots from outside the building. Only two weapons — a pistol and a rifle — were recovered. Three officers encountered the suspect armed with a gun and returned fire, killing him at the scene.
Full Casualty Update: 3 Dead, 14 Hospitalized, 3 Critical — Blood Emergency Activated
There were a total of 17 patients on the scene. Three were pronounced dead, including the suspect. Of the 14 people taken to the hospital, three were in critical condition. South Texas Blood & Tissue officials said 20 units of O-negative blood were sent to Austin overnight and the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps was activated. An additional 140 units, including O-negative and O-positive, were dispatched from other blood centers. Two innocent victims were killed. Twelve of the 14 hospitalized are in stable condition.
Waymo Self-Driving Car Blocked an Ambulance During the Response
A social media post went viral showing a Waymo autonomous vehicle in the middle of the road sideways, blocking an ambulance responding to the mass shooting scene. The incident has ignited immediate scrutiny of autonomous vehicles operating in active emergency zones, with calls for Waymo to address the malfunction in Austin.
Austin Mayor Watson and Texas Officials React
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said: "There is no question in my mind that the quick response of the police officers and of our EMS personnel and those professionals made a difference and saved lives." Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton posted on social media that he was praying for the victims and their families, calling the act unconscionable. The attack comes one day after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, though investigators have not yet established any direct connection between the two events.
Anyone with information about the Buford's bar Austin Texas shooting is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or Austin Police Department at 512-974-5037.
