A 21-year-old Indian-American student has been identified among the victims of a deadly shooting outside a bar in Austin, Texas, an incident that authorities are investigating for possible links to terrorism.
Savitha Shan, an Austin native and a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, was fatally shot during the attack in the city’s busy entertainment district on West Sixth Street early Sunday morning. Shan was pursuing a dual degree in management information systems and economics and was only months away from graduating.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed at a press conference on Monday that Shan and 19-year-old Ryder Harrington were the two victims who died at the scene. In total, four people lost their lives in the incident, including the suspected gunman.
The shooting occurred around 1:59 a.m. outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a popular bar in downtown Austin’s nightlife district. According to investigators, the suspect initially fired shots from an SUV before exiting the vehicle armed with a rifle and opening fire into the crowded area. Police officers responded swiftly and shot the gunman within about a minute of receiving the first emergency call.
The suspect was identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalised U.S. citizen originally from Senegal. Authorities said items recovered from the suspect’s vehicle and residence included an Iranian flag and extremist writings. As a result, federal investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force are examining whether the attack may have been motivated by extremist ideology or whether the suspect had been self-radicalised.
Besides those killed, fourteen others were injured in the shooting, several of them students. At least three victims were reported to be in critical condition. One of the injured, 21-year-old University of Texas student Karan Bhakta, told authorities that he had been out with friends when a bullet grazed his scalp.
The tragedy has deeply shaken Austin’s Indian-American community after Shan was identified as one of the victims. The city has a large Indian diaspora, including students and technology professionals who work in the region often referred to as “Silicon Hills.”
A spokesperson for the University of Texas at Austin confirmed that Shan’s legal last name in university records was Shanmugasundaram. In a message to the campus community, university president Jim Davis described her as “a child of loving parents, a loyal friend to many, and a Longhorn preparing to change the world.” Shan had previously graduated from the Liberal Arts and Science Academy and was widely regarded as a bright and community-minded student.
On Monday morning, the University of Texas campus appeared subdued as students grappled with the shock of the shooting, even as student body elections began that week. Many said the incident had heightened fears about gun violence.
Leaders from Austin’s Indian-American community said they are coordinating with local authorities to assist Shan’s family and other victims affected by the tragedy. Plans are also underway for a memorial service as investigators continue to determine the motive behind the attack.
