Texas Mass Shooting Suspect Potentially Connected to Terrorists

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On Sunday, March 1st, 2026, the arrival of a new month brought many in Texas violence and despair. Instead of a new chapter and memories made, a gunman who opened fire just outside a bar in Austin, Texas, killed 3 people and injured over a dozen others.

Identified as Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Senegal, Diagne carried out the attack at 2 a.m. central time, lurking behind the walls and shadows of Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden. While Diagne was later killed by the police during this attack, why he committed this crime breeds suspicion of terrorist connections.

After reviewing statements from over 150 witnesses, investigators are attempting to determine the motive behind Diagne’s attack. According to ABC News affiliate KVUE, the three victims: Jorge Pedersen, Ryder Harrington, and Savitha Shan, died almost immediately on impact.

Diagne arrived in the U.S. on a B-2 tourist visa on March 13th, 2000, and married a U.S. citizen in 2006, which allowed him to obtain permanent residence.

Three potential reasons have been flagged:

1. Alex Doran, acting special agent in charge for the FBI’s field office in San Antonio, noted that “indicators” on Diagne and his vehicle point to “potential nexus to terrorism.” While the investigation is still ongoing, CBS News reported that an Iranian flag and pictures of Iranian leaders were found in Diagne’s home. He also had a Quran in his vehicle.
2. This wasn’t Diagne’s first attack. In 2017, Diagne hit a pedestrian woman in Brooklyn, New York, while driving a company vehicle. Despite the lawsuit, the victim, Jennifer Antoine, sustained serious injuries that led to permanent disabilities.
3. Since the shooting on Sunday, over 70 Texas House Republicans signed a letter to pause all immigration into the country. This freeze pauses any entrance into the states until “proper vetting protocols” are established.

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Photo Credit: ©Getty Images / Brandon Bell / Staff

Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.