In the early hours of Sunday, March 1, 2026, the vibrant nightlife of Austin’s famed Sixth Street was shattered by a sudden and devastating act of violence. As crowds spilled out from Buford’s bar—a popular haunt for college students and young adults—a gunman opened fire, leaving three people dead, including himself, and injuring 14 others. The city, famous for its live music and bustling entertainment scene, was left reeling.
According to the Austin Police Department, the attack began at approximately 1:40 a.m. when police received a call about gunfire outside Buford’s, near the intersection of West Sixth Street and Rio Grande Street. The shooter, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, first fired from his vehicle before exiting with a rifle, according to Chief Lisa Davis. Officers responded quickly, confronting Diagne and returning fire, ultimately killing him at the scene (FOX 7 Austin).
In the aftermath, the community learned the names of the two young victims whose lives were cut short: 21-year-old Savitha Shan and 19-year-old Ryder Harrington. Both were students with promising futures—Shan, a dual-degree student at the University of Texas at Austin, and Harrington, a Texas Tech University student and member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity (Austin American-Statesman and NPR).
Chief Davis provided further details during a press briefing Monday, confirming that, alongside the deceased, 14 people had been wounded. "A person who was critically injured in the shooting is expected to be taken off life support and two others are still critical," Davis said. The man expected to be removed from life support was identified as Jorge Pederson by a coworker, Kelson Li. At least four of the injured had been released from hospitals by Monday afternoon (FOX 7 Austin).
Buford’s, the bar where the tragedy unfolded, released a heartfelt statement: "Our hearts are broken. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and their families affected by the tragic violence that occurred early Sunday morning. No words can adequately express the sorrow we feel for those who lost loved ones or were injured. These were young people with their whole lives ahead of them." The sentiment echoed across the city, as residents grappled with the senseless loss.
Savitha Shan, remembered as a bright and ambitious student, grew up in Austin and attended Baranoff Elementary and LASA High School. University of Texas President Jim Davis acknowledged the loss in a campus-wide email: "Today, it was confirmed that among those who lost their lives is one UT student. A child of loving parents. A loyal friend to many. A Longhorn preparing to change the world. It is devastating, and I know all of us are grieved by this horrible news and we will remember her." Davis also noted that other UT Austin students were among the injured, some of whom were still facing serious outcomes.
Ryder Harrington’s impact was felt deeply among his peers at Texas Tech. The Beta Theta Pi fraternity posted a moving tribute: "Ryder had a rare ability to truly enjoy life, to make people laugh, to make moments feel bigger, and to make ordinary days unforgettable. If anyone embodied what it meant to live fully and love deeply, it was Ryder." His brother, Reed Harrington, wrote, "Watching the man he had become, and seeing all the lives he touched, leaves me certain that this world was robbed of a great future." A candlelight vigil was planned for Harrington in Lubbock on Monday night, drawing friends, family, and classmates together in mourning.
The shooter, Ndiaga Diagne, was a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Diagne entered the United States on a B-2 tourist visa in March 2000, became a lawful permanent resident through marriage in 2006, and was naturalized in 2013. He had no known criminal history, except for a 2022 arrest related to a vehicle collision in Texas (Hindustan Times and Austin American-Statesman).
Neighbors at Diagne’s apartment complex in Del Valle described him as friendly, often seeing his black SUV parked nearby. However, the events of Sunday morning revealed a much darker side. The FBI executed a search warrant at his apartment the same day, and authorities indicated there are "indicators" of terrorism related to the attack. Chief Davis confirmed that Diagne was not on the radar of the Austin Police Department or the FBI prior to the shooting. The guns used in the attack were legally purchased in 2017.
Adding to the complexity of the investigation, Diagne was reportedly seen wearing a sweatshirt with the phrase "Property of Allah" and a T-shirt bearing the Iranian flag. An explosives team was called to inspect his vehicle after investigators found concerning items inside, but no bombs were discovered. The FBI’s involvement and the terrorism angle have heightened scrutiny, though officials caution that the investigation is still in its early stages and that authorities are poring over massive amounts of physical and digital evidence.
Despite the gravity of the incident, Chief Davis assured the public that the shooting is not expected to impact security plans for the upcoming South by Southwest (SXSW) festival or other spring events. "We will be releasing more information in the coming days about the gunman’s criminal history and the officer-involved shooting aspect of the case," Davis said. Police have also urged anyone with video or photos from the scene to submit them to assist the investigation.
The attack has prompted an outpouring of grief and support across Austin and beyond. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, whose staff was connected to the Harrington family, wrote, "From all accounts, Ryder was exactly the kind of young man who made a difference without even trying—full of life, loyal to his friends, proud to be a Red Raider and a Texan, and someone who showed up for the people around him." University officials, local leaders, and community organizations have echoed calls for unity, healing, and continued vigilance.
As the investigation continues, Austin’s Sixth Street—usually a symbol of the city’s energy and diversity—now stands as a somber reminder of lives lost and the resilience of a community determined to support one another through tragedy. The coming days will bring more answers, but for now, Austin mourns the promise and potential stolen by violence.