Austin Bar Massacre: Shooter's 'Property of Allah' Hoodie Points to Possible Iran Vengeance Motive
The perpetrator behind Sunday's deadly shooting at a crowded Austin bar was a former New York City resident donning a hoodie inscribed with "Property of Allah," and law-enforcement sources indicate he may have been driven by a desire for retribution linked to U.S. actions against Iran. The attack, which unfolded in the early hours at Buford's Backyard Beer Garden near the University of Texas-Austin campus, left two dead and 14 injured, with three victims in critical condition.
Shooter's Profile and Disturbing Evidence
Ndiaga Diagne, 53, an immigrant from Senegal who became a U.S. citizen in 2013, is identified as the shooter. A chilling photo released by authorities shows Diagne holding a rifle while wearing the "Property of Allah" hooded sweatshirt, with his mouth agape and clad in camouflage trousers. Sources familiar with the investigation reveal that Diagne had a Quran in his vehicle and was possibly wearing an undershirt featuring the Iranian flag or other symbols associated with Iran at the time of the attack.
Diagne had a history of arrests in both New York City and Texas, with records dating back to 2001 for offenses such as illegal vending, though details of three other city arrests remain sealed. He applied for asylum in 2016 after arriving in the U.S. in 2000, residing in New York City for years before the incident.
FBI Investigates Potential Terrorism Nexus
Alex Doran, acting Special Agent in charge of the FBI's San Antonio office, stated that while it is premature to determine the exact motivation, indicators on the subject and in his vehicle suggest a potential nexus to terrorism. "Obviously it's still way too early in the process to determine the exact motivation, but there were indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate a potential nexus to terrorism," Doran told reporters, highlighting the ongoing investigation into possible links to Middle East conflicts.
Timeline of the Attack and Police Response
The shooting occurred around 2 a.m., coinciding with the closing time of the popular nightspot as hundreds of patrons were departing. According to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, Diagne's large SUV was observed circling the block multiple times before he halted in front of the bar and began firing a pistol from his front window, striking individuals on the front patio. He then parked, exited the vehicle, and continued shooting at pedestrians on the street.
Police responded swiftly, confronting and shooting Diagne within less than a minute of the first gunshot at an intersection on 6th Street. Both Diagne and two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while first responders transported 14 others to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Official Statements and Community Impact
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed condolences, stating, "Our hearts go out to the people that are victims of this, and I want to reiterate my thanks to our public safety officers and officials that so rapidly were on the scene; they definitely saved lives." Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a stern warning in a statement, asserting, "This act of violence will not define us, nor will it shake the resolve of Texans. To anyone who thinks about using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texans or our critical infrastructure, understand this clearly: Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state."
The incident has sparked concerns over domestic terrorism and international tensions, with authorities continuing to probe Diagne's motives and connections. The community remains in shock as investigations delve deeper into the shooter's background and potential ideological drivers.
