The Austin Police Department released surveillance and body-camera footage showing panicked crowds and officers moving toward a gunman on Sixth Street. The shooter, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, was fatally shot by police; three people were killed and 19 were struck by gunfire. Authorities arrived within 57 seconds and are working with the FBI, executing search warrants and reviewing digital evidence as they probe a possible terrorism link. Two victims remain hospitalized, one in critical condition.
Newly Released Footage Shows Chaos on Austin’s Sixth Street as Officials Probe Possible Terror Link
The Austin Police Department and the FBI continue to investigate the mass shooting that occurred at the bustling Sixth Street entertainment district on March 1. - Jack Myer/AP
As Saturday night turned to Sunday, Sixth Street in downtown Austin — a hub of music and crowded patios — erupted into terror when a gunman opened fire, transforming an evening of celebration into a scene of panic and confusion.
Surveillance and body-worn camera footage released by the Austin Police Department show crowds scattering across the street, diving behind parked cars and pressing against walls as the assailant moved through an intersection carrying an AR-15–style rifle and firing indiscriminately. Authorities warn the released material contains disturbing images.
Panicked 911 calls captured the immediacy of the attack. One caller shouted to others to take cover:
Jorge Pederson, Savitha Shan and Ryder Harrington - Obtained by CNN
“You need to go that way and get down! There are people dead over here. There’ve been multiple people shot. We need help right now.”
“I heard like six gunshots from inside. Everybody ducked down on the bottom floor … we’re hiding in between cars.”
Officers arrived on scene within 57 seconds and moved toward the shooter, engaging him in a volley of gunfire that left the suspect on the ground. The attacker, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, was fatally shot by police.
The attack killed three people and struck 19 individuals with gunfire, including the suspect. Two victims remain hospitalized, one in critical condition. The deceased have been identified as Ryder Harrington, 19; Savitha Shan, 21; and Jorge Pederson, 30. Harrington and Shan were pronounced dead at the scene; Pederson died of his injuries later.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis described the footage as difficult to watch and said portions that clearly show the suspect firing into crowds were too graphic to release publicly. She noted that members of the public helped direct responding officers to the shooter’s location during the chaos.
A map showing the scenes of the deadly mass shooting in Austin as seen during a news conference on Thursday. - KVUE
Investigators are working to determine motive. They are examining Diagne’s clothing — reportedly a shirt with an Iranian-flag design and a hoodie printed with the phrase “Property of Allah” — along with his criminal history, digital activity and mental health records. Officials say Diagne, a Senegalese immigrant who became a U.S. citizen, had no prior law-enforcement or FBI investigations other than a 2022 welfare check that may have originated in New York.
Because of the possible international or ideological motivation, local investigators called in the FBI early in the inquiry. Authorities have executed at least two search warrants, including at a residence in Pflugerville, north of Austin, seeking writings, online activity or other evidence that could clarify whether the attack was planned or inspired by extremist material. Officials said they are reviewing digital evidence but are not yet prepared to describe a definitive terrorism nexus.
“This devastation doesn’t just affect the immediate community,” Chief Davis said, describing officials moved to tears while watching the video and listening to audio recordings. The department continues to gather evidence and work with federal partners as the investigation proceeds.
Warning: The released video contains graphic and upsetting images of the attack and its aftermath.
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