Austin Police Release Footage of Deadly Shooting Incident

Austin Police Provide Insight into Shooting Incident

On Thursday afternoon, the Austin police department conducted a press briefing, unveiling details about a tragic shooting that occurred outside Buford's Backyard Beer Garden. For the first time, they shared body camera footage and recordings of 911 calls, offering a clearer understanding of the events that transpired that night. The footage included scenes of 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne firing a weapon from his SUV before law enforcement intervened.

Details of the Shooting Incident

The incident unfolded around 2 AM on a Sunday, coinciding with the closing time of the bar, as numerous patrons exited Buford's Backyard Beer Garden, located near the University of Texas-Austin. A large SUV was seen making several rounds in the area before Diagne parked in front of the establishment and opened fire through his vehicle's front window, targeting individuals on the patio. Afterward, he exited the SUV and continued shooting at people on the street.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis reported that officers arrived at the scene in under a minute after the first gunshot. They confronted Diagne at a nearby intersection on 6th Street, where he was shot and killed, along with two of his victims. The latest updates indicate that the total number of fatalities has risen to three, with fourteen others hospitalized, three of whom are in critical condition.

Background on Ndiaga Diagne

Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old US citizen with roots in Senegal, had previously resided in New York City from 2000 to 2008 before moving to Texas, where he had a history of arrests. Following the shooting, officers discovered a Quran and clothing resembling Islamic attire in his SUV. The FBI is currently investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism, citing possible indicators, although a definitive motive has yet to be established.