Bold takeaway: The Austin shooting report highlights potential ties to extremist symbolism and a broader context of international tensions, raising questions about how domestic violence, immigration history, and geopolitical conflicts intersect in mass violence.
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CBS News has obtained a photo showing the Austin gunman wearing a shirt with a design that resembles the Iranian flag.
Ndiaga Diagne, the man who was killed by police after the shootings that left two dead and 14 injured, was also pictured wearing a hoodie that read “Property of Allah.” Police have identified the two killed victims as Ryder Harrington, 19, and Savitha Shan, 21.
U.S. officials describe Diagne as a Senegalese-born immigrant who arrived in the United States in 2000 on a tourist visa. He later obtained a green card in 2006 after marrying a U.S. citizen and became a U.S. citizen in 2013.
Investigators note at least one prior arrest in 2022 in Texas related to a car collision. Sources familiar with the probe also say Diagne had a history of mental health issues. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said during a Monday news conference that Diagne had not previously appeared as a person of concern or as a potential threat.
Authorities say they are examining a possible terrorism connection. A law enforcement source familiar with the case says the gunman appeared to be motivated, at least in part, by the U.S. attack on Iran.
Officials believe the gunman acted alone, but investigators are reviewing his digital footprint and his contacts to determine whether he had connections to anyone in the United States or abroad who might have influenced his actions.
A search warrant executed at the gunman’s home on Sunday turned up an Iranian flag and photographs of Iranian leaders, according to an official briefed on the investigation. CBS News sources add that a Quran was found in the gunman’s vehicle.
The shooting occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. local time on Sunday at Buford’s, a bar in Austin’s Sixth Street entertainment district.
Witnesses say the gunman was driving an SUV in circles around the block and began firing at people seated outdoors through an open window. He then exited the vehicle and continued shooting as he walked along the street.
One of the injured remained in critical condition and was expected to be taken off life support the following day, according to Chief Davis.
Local resident Kelson Li told CBS News that one of the victims was a coworker and friend who had moved to Austin two weeks earlier. Li described returning to the bar to try to reach his friend and the shock of seeing so many worried faces in the aftermath.
The gunman was shot and killed by responding police officers. Authorities recovered multiple weapons in the SUV.
Video obtained by CBS News shows law enforcement officers running westward away from Buford’s as people on the street take cover. Austin Police explained that the suspect had moved west along the block after firing at bar patrons, then continued eastbound.
The footage was captured by Nathan Comeaux, who witnessed police exchanging gunfire with the shooter down the street. Comeaux recounted seeing the gunman fire at officers before they returned fire.
CBS News contributors Jason Allen, Pat Milton, Anna Schecter, Maddie Kornfeld and Alex Sundby contributed to this report.
Categories associated with this report include Austin, Shooting, Iran, and Texas.
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