The harrowing scene unfolded just before 2 a.m. outside a popular Austin beer garden, Buford’s Backyard. A man, later identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, unleashed a barrage of gunfire, shattering the night and leaving a trail of devastation in his wake.
Three people – Savitha Shan, 21, Ryder Harrington, 19, and Jorge Pederson, 30 – lost their lives in the chaotic attack. More than a dozen others were injured, their lives irrevocably altered by the sudden violence. Witnesses described a terrifying scene as Diagne fired from his vehicle, then continued shooting after exiting the car.
Responding officers swiftly engaged Diagne, ultimately ending the threat. Now, bodycam footage of the shooting will be released to the public on Thursday, offering a stark and unfiltered view of the events.
The Travis County District Attorney has announced that no charges will be filed against the three officers involved in the shooting. This decision comes despite a 2021 policy established by the District Attorney’s office requiring all officer-involved shootings to be presented to a grand jury.
This marks the first time the policy has been bypassed, raising questions and sparking debate within the law enforcement community. Concerns have been voiced that officers may fear prosecution more than facing active threats.
Investigators are meticulously piecing together Diagne’s motives, and early findings suggest a potential connection to terrorism. Evidence discovered in his vehicle and at his home paints a disturbing picture.
Diagne was reportedly wearing clothing bearing religious and nationalistic symbols, including a sweatshirt proclaiming “Property of Allah” and an undershirt displaying the Iranian flag. A Quran was also found in his car, and images of Iranian leaders were discovered at his residence.
Diagne’s journey to U.S. citizenship began with a tourist visa in 2000. He became a lawful permanent resident in 2006 through marriage and ultimately naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2013. His transformation and the events leading to the shooting remain under intense scrutiny.
The District Attorney previously lauded the officers as “heroes” for their quick action in stopping the shooter. The investigation continues, seeking to understand the full scope of Diagne’s intentions and any potential network of support.
The release of the bodycam footage promises to offer a crucial, and likely difficult, glimpse into the moments that defined a tragic night in Austin, and the actions taken to end the violence.
