Federal, state and local law enforcement officials are investigating a mass shooting in Austin, Texas overnight.
IMAGE: JAY JANNER/AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN VIA AP
The shooting happened around 1:58 a.m. on March 1, 2026, near Buford’s Bar, which is located in the downtown area of the city on East 6th Street.
Law enforcement says a large SUV circled the block several times before the suspect turned on the flashers and began firing a pistol from inside the vehicle at people outside the bar.
The suspect then drove to nearby Wood Street, exited the vehicle with a rifle and began firing at pedestrians.
First responders responded to the active shooting within less than a minute due to already being stationed nearby due to weekend staffing, said Lisa Davis, Austin’s police chief.
As police arrived, they confronted the suspect and shot and killed the suspect armed with a pistol and a rifle.
Police say 17 victims were shot, three of which died on scene and 14 others transported to nearby hospitals. Of the 14 transported, three are in critical condition.
During the initial investigation, police say, they found suspicious items in the suspect’s vehicle which prompted a bomb squad response. Eventually, the vehicle was cleared and no explosives were found.
At this time, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force is involved in the investigation due to reported indicators suggesting a possible terrorism nexus.
As the investigation continues, the motive behind the shooting remains undetermined.
This is a developing story.