3 things to know about the Austin mass shooting suspect, possible terror ties

Federal and local authorities are reviewing evidence of a “potential nexus to terrorism” after a gunman opened fire outside a bar in downtown Austin, Texas, on Sunday, killing three people and injuring over a dozen others. 

Authorities identified the shooter as Ndiaga Diagne, 53, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Senegal. He arrived in the U.S. on March 13, 2000, on a B‑2 tourist visa, according to the Department of Homeland Security, and married a U.S. citizen in 2006, thereby obtaining permanent residence. 

Diagne carried out the attack at around 2 a.m. Central time outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden and was later killed by the police. 

According to ABC News affiliate KVUE, the third victim of the mass shooting, 30-year-old Jorge Pederson, was removed from life support on Monday. The two other victims killed during the attack were identified as 19-year-old Ryder Harrington and 21-year-old Savitha Shan.

Investigators are reviewing statements from around 150 witnesses and are attempting to determine a motive for the mass shooting, KVUE reported. 

Here are three things to know about the Austin shooting suspect and his potential motive.

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1. Investigators reviewing evidence of 'potential nexus to terrorism'

During a Monday news conference, Alex Doran, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI's field office in San Antonio, said investigators found "indicators" on Diagne and in his vehicle that point to a "potential nexus to terrorism.”

Doran also stated during the news conference that authorities have yet to determine the shooter’s exact motive. The acting special agent later told reporters that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is involved in the investigation, in addition to several federal, state and local partners. 

CBS News reported this week that officials discovered an Iranian flag and pictures of Iranian leaders after executing a search warrant at Diagne’s home on Sunday. Sources also reportedly told the outlet that the gunman had a Quran in his vehicle. 

The network also showed a photo it obtained of Diagne wearing a hoodie that said “Property of Allah,” which two sources familiar with the investigation said the shooter wore during the attack. The photo obtained by CBS News shows an Iranian flag shirt that Diagne wore underneath the hoodie.

During the Monday news conference, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said that the guns Diagne used in the attack — a handgun and a rifle — were acquired legally in San Antonio in 2017. 

Authorities are looking into several potential motives, including a possible link to terrorism. According to an NBC News report, four sources briefed on the shooting investigation are exploring whether mental health issues might have played a role in the attack.