Authorities announced that an Iranian flag and a photo of a regime leader were found in the apartment of the shooter involved in a recent incident outside a bar in Austin, Texas.
The discovery occurred during a search of the suspect’s home early Sunday, following a shooting that resulted in three deaths and left 14 others injured. Reports indicate that the shooter, Ndiaga Diagne, was dressed in a sweatshirt bearing the phrase “Property of Allah” and wore an undershirt with the Iranian flag during the attack.
Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalized American originally from Senegal, was living in Pflugerville, Texas. He first came to the U.S. in 2000 on a B-2 tourist visa, later marrying an American and becoming a legal permanent resident six years after that. He received U.S. citizenship in 2013. His criminal background is noted to include a vehicle-related arrest in Texas last year.
The shooting took place just before 2 a.m. at the Buford Backyard Beer Garden, a popular nightlife spot close to the University of Texas at Austin. Police Chief Lisa Davis described how the shooter activated his vehicle’s flashers, rolled down the windows, and started firing a pistol out of his car, hitting patrons both on the patio and in front of the bar. Afterward, he parked his vehicle and, armed with a rifle, continued firing at pedestrians without entering the bar itself.
Police ultimately shot and killed Diagne, who utilized both a handgun and a rifle during the assault.
University President Jim Davis expressed deep condolences in a statement, highlighting the sadness felt after such a tragedy in Austin. He extended support to the victims, their families, and the university community while also appreciating the swift response of first responders and counselors.
Ongoing investigations by authorities have led the FBI to classify the shooting as potentially linked to terrorism. An official mentioned that while it’s premature to confirm motives, indicators from the suspect and his vehicle suggest a possible connection to terrorist activities. Investigators declared that they’re working closely with local police to thoroughly examine the situation.
Questions arose about whether the attack could be characterized as domestic or international terrorism. The Joint Terrorism Task Force is involved, and officials indicated that the likelihood of it being a terrorist act appears significant.
