A newly released photograph captures Austin mass shooter Ndiaga Diagne holding a rifle while wearing a hooded sweatshirt displaying religious text during his deadly rampage that killed two people and wounded 14 others at a popular Texas entertainment venue.

The Attack and Evidence

Diagne, 53, opened fire at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in Austin early Sunday morning. The photograph shows the shooter in camouflage pants, holding a black long gun, his mouth open as he moved through the scene. Law enforcement recovered the image during their investigation into the violence that unfolded at the crowded nightlife destination. The shooter was a former New York City resident who immigrated from Senegal and became a naturalized American citizen in 2013. Three years later, in 2016, he applied for asylum status.

Authorities continue examining evidence from the scene to determine what motivated the attack. Law enforcement sources indicated the shooter may have worn an undershirt featuring imagery related to Iran beneath his outer clothing. Investigators are exploring whether the violence represented an act of retaliation connected to recent United States military action against Iran. The timing and symbolic elements recovered during the investigation support this theory, though officials have not reached conclusions about the shooter’s motivations.

Community Impact and Response

The attack disrupted what had been a typical weekend evening at one of Austin’s popular gathering spots. Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden regularly attracts large crowds, and the venue was busy when the violence erupted. Emergency responders transported 14 wounded victims to area hospitals, where medical teams worked to stabilize those injured in the shooting. Two victims died as a result of their injuries. The incident has prompted renewed discussions about security measures at entertainment venues and the challenges law enforcement faces in preventing such attacks.

Investigation Continues

Federal and local authorities are working together to piece together the complete timeline of events and verify the shooter’s connections to foreign entities or ideologies. The combination of religious symbolism and potential political motivation presents investigators with a complex case requiring thorough analysis. Officials are reviewing the shooter’s background, travel history, communications, and any associations that might shed light on how he became radicalized or what specific grievances drove him to commit this act of violence. The investigation remains active as authorities seek to understand the full scope of the threat and whether others were involved in planning or supporting the attack.