AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The gunman who killed two individuals at a bar in Texas early Sunday in a mass taking pictures that left 14 others wounded was carrying a sweatshirt that mentioned “Property of Allah,” and one other shirt with an Iranian flag design, a regulation enforcement official advised The Related Press.
The shooter has been recognized as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, the regulation enforcement official and one other individual conversant in the matter mentioned. The sources spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to publicly focus on the investigation.
The taking pictures erupted a day after Israel and the USA launched an attack on Iran that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The FBI mentioned it was investigating the taking pictures as a possible act of terrorism.
Diagne was initially from Senegal, in line with a number of individuals briefed on the investigation. One of many individuals advised the AP that Diagne got here to the U.S. in 2006 and was a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Officers in Austin shot and killed the gunman, who used each a pistol and a rifle to hold out the assault, police mentioned. The FBI mentioned the taking pictures was being investigated as a possible act of terrorism.
The suspect drove previous the bar a number of occasions earlier than stopping and taking pictures a pistol out the window of his SUV at individuals on a patio and in entrance of the bar, mentioned Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis.
The gunman then parked the car, obtained out with a rifle, and started taking pictures at individuals strolling within the space earlier than officers who rushed to the intersection shot him, Davis mentioned.
There have been not less than two other high-profile shootings in Austin’s Sixth Road leisure district inside the previous 5 years, together with one in the summertime of 2021 that left 14 individuals wounded. Though this weekend’s taking pictures doesn’t meet the definition of a mass killing, there have been 5 of these up to now this yr.
The FBI is investigating whether or not the taking pictures early Sunday was act of terrorism due to “indicators” discovered on the gunman and in his car, mentioned Alex Doran, the performing agent in command of the FBI’s San Antonio workplace.
“It’s nonetheless too early to make a willpower on that,” Doran mentioned.
The taking pictures occurred outdoors Buford’s Yard Beer Backyard simply earlier than 2 a.m. alongside Sixth Road, a nightlife vacation spot stuffed with bars and music golf equipment and just a few miles from the College of Texas.
The varsity’s president mentioned on social media that a few of these impacted included “members of our Longhorn household.”
“Our prayers are with the victims and all these impacted,” mentioned college President Jim Davis.
The leisure district has a heavy police presence on weekends, and officers had been in a position to confront the gunman inside a minute of the primary name for assist, Davis mentioned.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the quick response by police and rescuers.
“They undoubtedly saved lives,” he mentioned.
One of many victims was discovered on the street between two parked automobiles. Contained in the multi-story bar, there have been overturned tables and drinks left behind by fleeing clients.
One other taking pictures early Sunday at a Cincinnati nightclub and live performance venue wounded 9 individuals, police in Ohio mentioned.
All 9 had gunshot wounds, however none had been non-life threatening, mentioned Adam Hennie, the town’s interim police chief.
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Olivia Diaz contributed from Richmond, Virginia; Seewer from Toledo, Ohio; and Durkin Richer and Tucker from Washington. ___ Diaz is a corps member for The Related Press/Report for America Statehouse Information Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit nationwide service program that locations journalists in native newsrooms to report on undercovered points.
Jack Myer, Alanna Durkin Richer, Eric Tucker And John Seewer, The Related Press