BREAKING UPDATE: Austin mass shooter identified as Ndiaga Diagne, Senegalese-born, US citizen, with potential terrorist motivation

The suspect in the mass shooting in downtown Austin on Sunday morning has been identified as Ndiaga Diagne, a Senegal-born American citizen living in Pflugerville, Texas. The shooting is being investigated as ideologically-motivated. 

The FBI had revealed earlier in the day that the shooting, which left three people dead, including the shooter and 14 injured, had a “potential nexus to terrorism,” according to the FBI.

Acting special agent in charge for the FBI San Antonio Field Office, Alex Doran, revealed in a press conference that there are indications terrorism may have been involved in the attack.

"We have members from our Evidence Response team as well as our many other specialty teams, including our digital forensics folks that are on scene, helping to address the scene and gather additional evidence," Doran said.

"Obviously, it's still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation, but there were indicators that on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism. Again, it's still too early to make a determination on that."

An official motive for the shooting remains unclear, but the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined the investigation. The suspect reportedly had a Quran in his car and clothing described as Islamic garb.

The attack took place early Sunday morning in downtown Austin when a gunman opened fire at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden near the University of Texas at Austin around 2:00 am. Officers responded to reports of a mass shooting in just 57 seconds. Police confronted the gunman and returned fire, killing the suspect, who has not yet been identified.

The suspect reportedly had a handgun and a rifle when he stormed the bar and began shooting.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said that “Officers immediately transitioned, came over East 6th to West 6th Street and were faced with the individual with a gun.” First responders also arrived in less than a minute and began transporting the 14 injured victims to nearby hospitals.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson reacted to the shooting, saying, “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.”