A former New York City resident and U.S. citizen immigrant originally from Senegal, opened fire at a crowded Austin, Texas, bar, killing three people and injuring 14 others. Sources have told media the attack may have been motivated by recent U.S. strikes on Iran. {UPDATE: Shooter Pictured Below Fold}
The shooter was found to have a Quran in his vehicle and was wearing what is described as Islamic attire. The FBI is probing the incident as a potential act of ideologically driven terrorism. (PROMPTED)
(Fox 7 – Austin) – At a press conference early Sunday, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said police received a call around 1:40 a.m. for reports of a “male shooting” at Buford’s, a beer garden in the city’s busy entertainment district.
When police arrived at the scene, they confronted a man with a gun and then “returned fire, killing the suspect,” Davis said. According to EMS Chief Robert Luckritz, three people died at the scene and 14 people were taken to hospitals. Three of those injured were in critical condition.
A spokesman for the FBI said at a news conference later Sunday morning that the gunman appears to have ties to a terror group, but that is still under investigation.
“Obviously, it’s still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation, but there were indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism,” the FBI spokesman said. “Again, it’s still too early to make a determination on that, but we are investigating that very closely with our partners at the Austin Police Department.”
Davis said that the gunman had two weapons during the shooting, but that he never entered the bar.
“He drove by, was firing outside the window with a pistol,” Davis said. “Once he exited the vehicle after parking on Wood, he exited with a rifle at that point.”
Davis said an explosives team was called in to evaluate the gunman’s vehicle after investigators found concerning items inside. No bombs were found, however. (more)
