At least three people were killed and 18 others wounded in a shooting at a bar in Austin (Texas) that is being investigated as a possible terrorist act, authorities reported this Sunday. The incident took place around 2 a.m. local time in a popular area of university bars. The suspect, who was shot by officers responding to the shooting, had been circling the street of the bar before opening fire, according to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis at a press conference. "He turned on the parking lights, lowered the window, and started shooting from the car with a pistol, hitting several people who were in the bar's patio," Davis explained. Afterwards, the officer continued, he got out of the vehicle and continued shooting until he was shot by the officers. The at least 18 wounded were taken to local hospitals, and three of them are in critical condition, authorities said, who have not yet identified the suspect or the victims. The FBI is working with local police on the investigation and found "clues" in the suspect's car that point to "possible terrorist ties," according to Special Agent Alex Doran at the press conference. According to sources consulted by NBC, authorities have not yet determined whether it is a person with mental health issues or an act of terrorism. The suspect, according to the media, is a US citizen of Senegalese origin who has lived in the country for more than 15 years. The state's governor, Republican Greg Abbott, stated in a statement that "Texas is mourning" and added that his office has been in contact with the Austin mayor's office and the Department of Public Safety to "ensure that all necessary resources and assistance are deployed." "To anyone who is thinking of using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texas or our critical infrastructure, let me be clear: Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state," the governor added. In turn, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson acknowledged that the incident represents an "extremely difficult and traumatic moment" for the city and highlighted the work of the local police. "At 57 seconds after the first emergency calls, our Emergency Medical Services professionals were already on the scene attending to the people," he wrote on his account on the X platform.
