Authorities investigate mass shooting at Austin bar as potential act of terrorism | Texas
Authorities in Texas continue to investigate a weekend mass shooting at an Austin bar by a man wearing a “God’s Belonging” hoodie as a potential act of terrorism, as fears grow about the possibility of new attacks following U.S. airstrikes on Iran.
Police shot and killed Ndiaga Diagne, 53, a Senegalese citizen and naturalized U.S. citizen, early Sunday after he reportedly opened fire at the downtown bar popular with college students. In the incident, 2 people died and 14 people were injured, some seriously.
On Monday, detectives in Austin along with the FBI’s joint terrorism task force (JTTF) were investigating the suspect’s motives and possible ties to organized groups, although they said Diagne appeared to be a “lone actor.”
“He was involved and had indicators in his vehicle that indicated: [a] potential link to terrorism. “It’s too early to make a decision on this.”
The Austin attack came hours after the United States launched an airstrike on Iran on the orders of Donald Trump. The gunman was wearing a T-shirt with an Iranian flag pattern under his hoodie, The Associated Press reported, citing an unidentified law enforcement official.
Site Intelligence Group said Sunday that Diagne expressed “pro-Iranian regime sentiments and hatred of Israeli and American leaders” in Facebook posts dating back to 2017 and shared a photo of himself holding what appeared to be an assault rifle.
one of the victims was named Monday by Dustin Burrows, speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, as Texas Tech University student Ryder Harrington.
A GoFundMe attractive Founded by an individual who identified himself as a member of the fall 2024 pledge class of the university’s Beta Theta Pi chapter, Harrington is called “a beloved son, brother and friend whose kindness and presence touched countless lives.”
A post on Instagram said a vigil would be held in Austin on Monday night.
The escalating Middle East conflict has led authorities nationally and in many major U.S. cities to increase security measures.
FBI Director Kash Patel Published on X He said agents were working “around the clock” to keep Americans safe.
“Last night I instructed our counterterrorism and intelligence teams to be on high alert and mobilize all needed security assets. Our JTTFs across the country are working 24/7, as always, to address and disrupt any potential threats to the homeland,” he said.
Meanwhile, the San Diego Union-Tribune said it obtained a piece of advice The Pentagon’s Northern Command (Norcom) urges military bases to “remain alert to the potential for attacks targeting U.S. facilities and personnel.”
Newspaper, Coronado Naval Base big facility Officials in San Diego, which consists of nine separate naval and air divisions, had warned that increased base security would cause delays at entry gates.
The New York Police Department issued a statement on Saturday urging citizens to be careful.
“NYPD is closely monitoring events in Iran and the Middle East and is coordinating with our federal and international partners,” the statement said. a statement published on social media.
“In accordance with our protocol and out of prudence, we will increase the number of patrols to sensitive points throughout the city, including diplomatic, cultural, religious and other relevant areas.”
In Los Angeles, where there is a large Iranian community, authorities also reacted to the increasing terrorist threat.
“We are closely monitoring any threats to Los Angeles’ public safety during military action in the Middle East,” said the city’s Democratic mayor, Karen Bass. a post In X.
“While there are no known credible threats at this time, the LAPD has increased patrols near houses of worship, community spaces, and other areas of the city, and we will continue to remain vigilant in protecting our city. We understand that many Angelenos are impacted and deeply concerned, and we encourage everyone to voice their opinions peacefully.”
In January, a man driving a minivan carrying banners urging the United States not to support the return to Iran of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the country’s former shah, crashed into a demonstration of his supporters in Los Angeles.
At least so far, the Department of Homeland Security’s National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) has not issued any new recommendations following the start of U.S. military action against Iran.
NTAS released it on the same day that the Trump administration launched airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June last year. a newsletter Warning of “increasing threat environment” in the USA.
“The conflict may also motivate violent extremists and perpetrators of hate crimes who seek to attack targets perceived to be Jewish, pro-Israeli, or affiliated with the U.S. government or military,” it said at the time.
Inside a statement In response to Sunday’s shooting in Austin, the state’s Republican governor, Greg Abbott, said he was launching efforts to “protect our communities,” including increasing patrols at energy facilities, ports and the Mexican border.
“Anyone considering using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texans or our critical infrastructure should understand clearly: Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to defend our state,” he said.
