AUSTIN, Texas — Three people were killed, including the gunman, and 14 others were wounded in a shooting early Sunday in the popular downtown entertainment district of 6th Street in Austin.

The gunman has been identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, a law enforcement official and another person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

Diagne is originally from Senegal, according to multiple people briefed on the investigation. One of the people told the AP that Diagne came to the U.S. in 2006 and was a naturalized U.S. citizen. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation.

The Austin Police Department (APD) said they received a call about a shooting at Buford’s Bar on West 6th Street just before 2 a.m. early Sunday morning. In a press conference, Chief Lisa Davis said a man driving an SUV drove near the bar, put the vehicle’s flashers on, pulled down his window and began shooting with a pistol, striking patrons on the bar patio and in front of the bar.

The suspect then proceeded westbound, parked the vehicle on Wood Street, got out of his car armed with a rifle, and began shooting at people who passed by, Davis said. At that point, while heading toward East 6th Street, officers encountered the suspect and shot him.

Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran of the FBI San Antonio Field Office said the shooting was “potentially” an act of terrorism.

“There were indicators that on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism. Again, it’s still too early to make a determination on that,” Doran said.

At an earlier news conference, Davis said police were notified of a “male shooting” at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in the city’s popular nightlife district. The call came in before 2 a.m.

When police arrived at the scene, they confronted a man with a gun and then “returned fire, killing the suspect,” Davis said.

EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said three people were found dead at the scene, and 14 people were injured and transported to hospitals. Of those injured, three were in critical condition. The shooter was among the dead.

“We received a call at 1:39 a.m. and within 57 seconds, the first paramedics and officers were on scene actively treating the patients,” EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the rapid response by police and rescuers.

“They definitely saved lives,” Watson said.

In a statement posted to X just before noon on Sunday, Gov. Greg Abbott said he and his wife, Cecilia, are praying for those affected and that he is in contact with Watson and the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

“This act of violence will not define us, nor will it shake the resolve of Texans,” Abbott said in the statement. “To anyone who thinks about using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texans of our critical infrastructure, understand this clearly: Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state.”

That protection includes a Saturday directive from Abbott in which he “directed the Texas Military Department to activate service members under Operation Fury Shield,” according to his statement. These members will patrol “vital energy facilities, ports, and along our border” while DPS and the Texas National Guard intensify patrols and surveillance.

Abbott also ordered DPS to increase patrols and officer presence for weekends on 6th Street.

Watson said on X that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is helping APD’s investigation, which is ongoing. 

“This is an extremely difficult, traumatic moment for our City,” Watson wrote. “Our hearts go out to the families and the victims of this tragedy.”

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, said on X that “gun violence is preventable” and thanked law enforcement for their quick actions that saved lives.

“This devastating loss of life was preventable,” Doggett wrote. “Until Republicans find the courage to say no to the NRA, our country will be plagued with more tragedies.”

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called the shooting “a senseless act of violence,” and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he is proud of APD’s “lifesaving speed with which they responded.”

This is a developing story. Stay with Spectrum News for additional updates.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.