Indian-American student among four killed in Texas mass shooting; FBI probes possible extremist links

2 months ago 1
ARTICLE AD BOX
Image utilized  for representational purposes only.

Image utilized for representational purposes only. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

A 21-year-old Indian-American pupil is among 4 killed successful a shooting extracurricular a barroom successful Austin that is being investigated arsenic a imaginable enactment of terrorism.

Savitha Shan, an Austin autochthonal and a dual-degree elder astatine the University of Texas astatine Austin, was fatally changeable erstwhile a gunman opened occurrence successful a crowded amusement territory connected West Sixth Street connected Sunday (March 1, 2026).

She was months distant from graduation and was described by assemblage officials arsenic an outstanding pupil person studying absorption accusation systems and economics.

The identities of the 2 persons who died astatine the country of the shooting person been confirmed by Chief Lisa Davis of the Austin constabulary astatine a quality league connected Monday (March 2) afternoon. They are Ryder Harrington, 19, and Ms. Shan.

The Indian-American assemblage successful Texas is mourning aft Ms. Shan was identified arsenic 1 of the victims of Sunday’s (March 1) wide shooting successful downtown Austin.

The sidesplitting has sent shockwaves done Austin’s sizable Indian diaspora, peculiarly among students and exertion professionals successful the city’s “Silicon Hills” corridor.

Heightened information concerns person emerged crossed the state aft attacks connected Iran this play by the United States and Israel, and retaliation by Iran.

A spokesperson for the University of Texas astatine Austin confirmed Ms. Shan was a pupil astatine the schoolhouse and said her ineligible past sanction was Ms. Shanmugasundaram, according to schoolhouse records, the New York Times reported.

The university’s president, Jim Davis, described her successful a missive to field arsenic “a kid of loving parents. A loyal person to many. A Longhorn preparing to alteration the world.” Ms. Shan was a postgraduate of the Liberal Arts and Science Academy and was wide regarded arsenic a high-achieving and community-oriented student.

Federal authorities, led by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, are investigating the onslaught for imaginable planetary oregon ideological links. The suspect, identified arsenic 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalised U.S. national primitively from Senegal, was killed by constabulary astatine the scene.

Investigators said materials recovered from the country and the suspect's residence included an Iranian emblem and extremist writings, prompting authorities to analyse the anticipation of self-radicalised terrorism.

The shooting occurred astir 1:59 a.m. astatine Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden. Witnesses told constabulary the fishy archetypal fired from an SUV earlier exiting the conveyance with a rifle. Austin Police said officers neutralised the gunman wrong astir a infinitesimal of the archetypal exigency call.

Four radical person been killed, including the suspect. Fourteen others were injured, respective of them students, with astatine slightest 3 reported successful captious condition. One of the injured, Karan Bhakta, a 21-year-old elder astatine the University of Texas, said helium had been enjoying a nighttime retired with friends erstwhile a slug grazed his scalp, the study added.

On Monday (March 2) morning, the University of Texas field was quiet, contempt pupil assemblage elections opening this week. The fewer students who were retired said the shooting had sparked caller fears astir weapon violence.

Indian-American assemblage leaders successful Austin said they are coordinating with section authorities to enactment the Shan household and different affected residents. Plans are underway for a assemblage memorial work arsenic the probe into the motive continues.

Published - March 03, 2026 09:52 americium IST

Read Entire Article