Deadly Texas bar shooting is 'potentially an act of terrorism', FBI says

Two people were killed and 17 injured, with the suspected gunman also shot dead on the scene.

Deadly Texas bar shooting is 'potentially an act of terrorism', FBI says

23 minutes ago

Ann Butler

Brandon Drenon

[Getty Images Police tape cordons off the area around Buford's bar in Austin, Texas]
Getty Images

Two people were killed and over a dozen injured in a shooting outside a popular beer garden in Austin, Texas, in an incident the FBI says may be related to terrorism.

Police said they were called to the scene near Buford's bar in the capital of the southern US state around 2 am (0800GMT) on Sunday, following reports of a "male shooter".

In addition to the two deceased victims, the suspected gunman was also dead at the scene, police said. Fourteen people were taken to hospital, with three in critical condition.

Police have not identified the victims or the suspect and have not commented on a potential motive, nor offered details about the incident's possible terrorism connection.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said officers who were on patrol in the more popular, crowded bar district known as East Sixth Street quickly responded to reports of a man with a gun at Buford's, located farther down on West Sixth Street.

The incident began when a man in a large SUV put on his flashers, rolled down his window and fired a pistol, striking people on the patio and sidewalk outside the bar, said Davis.

She said he then parked the vehicle nearby, got out with a rifle and started walking back towards the bar. Three police officers coming toward him shot and killed the suspect at an intersection, according to Davis.

The SUV was searched and was not carrying explosives, officials said. However, Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran, from the FBI's San Antonio office, said there were indications in the SUV and on the suspect that suggested a "nexus to terrorism".

But Doran said the investigation was in its early stages and he was "not prepared to release those details".

"We are committed to seeing this process through to the very end," he said.

US President Donald Trump has been notified of the shooting, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

Kelson Lee, 25, was within earshot distance when sounds of gunfire erupted at Buford's. He walked inside to look for a friend, according to the Austin Current.

"I see about seven to eight bodies on the floor," Lee told the local news outlet. "No one should ever have to see that."

"I kind of blacked out, froze up. I felt kind of helpless because I wanted to help people."

Republican Senator Ted Cruz who represents Texas condemned the deadly attack in a post on social media.

"What happened early this morning in Austin was a senseless act of violence. My team and I are coordinating with local, state, and federal authorities," he wrote.

"I'm grateful for the heroic and quick response from law enforcement."

Of the 14 people taken to the hospital, three are in critical condition Austin-Travis County Emergency Management Services head Rob Luckritz said.

Davis said that because of increased police and emergency resources in the entertainment area over the weekend, they were able to "rapidly" respond to the scene.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the response by police and rescuers, which officials said took 57 seconds.

"I'm very thankful for the speed," said Watson. "They definitely saved lives."

Texas Governor Greg Abbott vowed that "this act of violence will not define us, nor will it shake the resolve of Texans."

Austin is home to both the Texas capitol and one of the state's largest public universities, the University of Texas, which is near the city's downtown, less than two miles (3.2km) from Buford's.

East Sixth Street and West Sixth Street are popular destinations for the roughly 55,000 students, who frequent the area most weekends.

Jim Davis, president of the University of Texas, said in a statement: "Our prayers are with the victims and all those impacted, including members of our Longhorn family, and my heart goes out to their families, friends, classmates, professors, and loved ones."

Crime

Texas

United States

Original source