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The FBI confirmed it was investigating the mass shooting outside a bar in downtown Austin, Texas, as a potential act of terrorism via the New York Post.
The suspect, who died after trading gunfire with police, was reported to be a U.S. citizen from Senegal who was possibly motivated by the U.S. attacks on Iran, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to the New York Post. Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran from the FBI's San Antonio office said there were indications found during a search of the suspect's SUV that suggested a "nexus to terrorism" though he said the investigation was in its early stages and he was "not prepared to release those details."
“Obviously it’s still way too early in the process to determine the exact motivation but there were indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism, Doran said.
The sources who spoke to the New York Post claimed that a Quran and clothing described as Islamic garb were found inside the vehicle. Authorities have clarified that two people were killed and several injured during the shooting after previous varying reports on the death toll.
The Austin police department had previously confirmed that the incident took place "along West Sixth Street" and that "the suspect has been shot by police." Officers responded to reports of a man opening fire at Buford's Bar. Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis said three officers shot back toward the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Davis said that authorities were able to respond to the area quickly because of customary staging over on East Sixth Street, with ATCEMS Chief Robert Luckritz confirming that medics were present within 57 seconds of receiving the call at 1:59 a.m. local time.