The gunman who killed two people and wounded 14 others at a bar in Austin early Sunday was wearing a sweatshirt that said “Property of Allah,” and another shirt with an Iranian flag design, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.
The news outlet identified the suspect as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne.
The gunman attacked Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in the Texas city’s entertainment district just before 2 a.m. He used a pistol and a rifle to carry out the attack, police said, and was killed by officers responding to the shooting.
The FBI is now investigating whether the rampage was an act of terrorism.
The suspect drove past the bar several times before stopping and shooting a pistol out the window of his SUV at people on a patio and in front of the bar, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said at a news conference Sunday.
The gunman then parked his vehicle, got out with a rifle, and began shooting at people walking in the area before officers who ran to the intersection shot him, Davis said.
The FBI said it was investigating whether the shooting was act of terrorism because of “indicators” found on the gunman and in his vehicle. The agency didn’t elaborate on what items were found.
“It’s still too early to make a determination on that,” Alex Doran, the acting agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio office, said earlier Sunday.
The shooting happened outside Buford’s along the Sixth Street, a nightlife destination filled with bars and music clubs and only a few miles from the University of Texas.
Police were already nearby when they got reports of a shooting and raced to the scene.
EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said emergency workers were at the scene of the shooting less than a minute after receiving a call for assistance.
He confirmed that three people were found dead at the scene and that 14 others had been wounded. Three of the injured were admitted to regional hospitals in critical condition.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the speedy response during the press conference.
“Our hearts go out to the people that are victims of this. And I want to again reiterate my thanks to our public safety officers and officials that so rapidly were on the scene,” Watson said. “They definitely saved lives.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
