Police officers shot and killed the suspect, who was later identified by the Department of Homeland Security as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne.
A gunman killed two people and injured 14 others overnight in Austin, the capital of the US state of Texas, in a mass shooting that the FBI is investigating as a possible act of terrorism.
Police officers shot and killed the suspect, who was later identified by the Department of Homeland Security as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne.
Authorities said he used both a pistol and a rifle during the attack on Sunday.
The shooting occurred just before 2 a.m. (08:00 GMT) outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on Sixth Street, a popular nightlife area near the University of Texas at Austin known for its bars and live music venues.
Earlier on Sunday, FBI Special Agent Alex Doran said investigators had not yet determined a motive. However, he noted that evidence found on the suspect and inside his vehicle suggested a potential link to terrorism.
He said it was still too early to determine the specific nature of any such connection.
According to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, the suspect drove past the bar several times before stopping and firing a pistol from his SUV at people gathered on a patio and outside the venue.
He then parked, exited the vehicle with a rifle, and began shooting at pedestrians in the area before officers responding to emergency calls shot him.
Police said three of the injured victims were in critical condition as of Sunday morning.
The White House said President Donald Trump had been briefed on the shooting, which took place a day after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the state would respond firmly to anyone attempting to exploit tensions in the Middle East to threaten Texas. “We will not be intimidated, and we will not be terrorised,” he said in a statement.
University of Texas President Jim Davis said on social media that some of those affected were members of the university community, often referred to as the “Longhorn family.”
He offered prayers and condolences to the victims and their families.
Officials noted that the entertainment district typically has a strong police presence on weekends, allowing officers to confront the gunman within a minute of the first emergency call.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson commended the swift response by police and emergency personnel, saying their actions helped save lives.
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