Texas gunman wore “Property of Allah” hoodie throughout assault, had images of Iranian leaders at residence, sources say

A brand new picture has emerged of the gunman who police say killed two folks and wounded 14 at a bar in Austin, Texas.

The gunman, who was shot and killed by police, was sporting a sweatshirt that mentioned “Property of Allah” in the course of the assault, based on two sources accustomed to the investigation. The outline matches a photograph obtained by Fox Information that seems to indicate the gunman carrying an extended gun.

There have been indicators on the suspect and in his automobile that recommend a “potential nexus to terrorism,” FBI Performing Particular Agent Alex Doran mentioned throughout a briefing Sunday, although he cautioned that it was too early to find out the motive.

Officers executed a search warrant on the gunman’s residence on Sunday and located an Iranian flag and photos of Iranian leaders, based on an official with direct data of the investigation. Sources advised CBS Information that the Quran was discovered within the gunman’s automobile.

The shooter was recognized by Austin police as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne. A number of U.S. officers advised CBS Information he was a naturalized American citizen born in Senegal.

Investigators imagine the gunman acted alone. Police say he had a handgun and a rifle in the course of the assault.

Two regulation enforcement sources advised CBS Information that investigators say the shooter had had prior psychological well being episodes in Austin. They’re taking a look at whether or not the shooter was influenced by extremist ideology and if there’s a nexus to worldwide terrorism, however cautioned that the person had prior psychological well being points.

The investigation is ongoing, and findings are topic to vary, however investigators are taking a look at whether or not the suspect self-radicalized. 

The capturing came about a day after the United States and Israel launched an enormous army operation on Iran, killing Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday. 

Two sources advised CBS Information that Diagne arrived within the U.S. in 2000 on a vacationer visa, bought a inexperienced card in 2006 and was naturalized in 2013. The suspect hung out in New York earlier than going to Texas. 

An official from the Workplace of the Director of Nationwide Intelligence advised CBS Information that its Nationwide Counterterrorism Heart (NCTC) is working with its companions in Austin, the FBI and native regulation enforcement to probe any potential ties to overseas terrorism, and that NCTC reps are in fixed communication with ODNI’s 24/7 operations middle in Washington, D.C., to ship probably the most well timed, correct intelligence.

President Trump has been briefed on the capturing in Austin, White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned Sunday.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis mentioned police obtained a name for stories of a person capturing on the beer backyard within the metropolis’s leisure district, just a little after 1:30 a.m.

Sources advised CBS Information that the gunman was driving round in an SUV circling the block when he started capturing from the automobile’s open window at folks seated at an outdoor bar. He then exited the SUV and continued capturing as he walked up the road. He was finally fatally shot by responding cops. A number of weapons had been discovered within the SUV, sources mentioned. 

A video obtained by CBS Information exhibits regulation enforcement officers with weapons operating westbound away from Buford’s, the bar the place the capturing came about, as folks on the street run and take cowl. Austin Police mentioned the suspect had additionally moved westbound down the block after capturing at patrons on the bar, earlier than then strolling eastbound. The footage was filmed by Nathan Comeaux, who witnessed cops change hearth with the gunman down the block. Comeaux mentioned he noticed the gunman hearth at police earlier than officers returned hearth.

Fourteen folks had been hospitalized, and three had been in important situation, Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz mentioned.

“We obtained a name at 1:39 a.m., and inside 57 seconds, the primary paramedics and officers had been on scene actively treating the sufferers,” Luckritz mentioned.

The JTTF is dealing with the investigation, which is comprised of the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Austin police and state police, and so they’re wanting into the suspect’s background and probably web posts, sources mentioned.    

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott mentioned Sunday that he has directed the Texas Army Division to activate service members beneath Operation Fury Protect, and the Texas Division of Public Security and the Texas Nationwide Guard to extend patrols and surveillance. He additionally directed the state’s Division of Public Security to extend patrols and add regulation enforcement personnel in downtown Austin’s sixth Avenue District.

“Texas mourns with the households and family members of those that had been horrifically killed in final night time’s assault in Austin. Cecilia and I pray for them, and we pray for the swift restoration of those that had been injured,” he mentioned in an announcement. 

“This act of violence is not going to outline us, nor will it shake the resolve of Texans. To anybody who thinks about utilizing the present battle within the Center East to threaten Texans or our important infrastructure, perceive this clearly: Texas will reply with decisive and overwhelming drive to guard our state,” Abbott added.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz advised “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Sunday morning that “we do not know for positive” if the capturing was associated to terrorism.

“At this level, we do not know what the proof will present when it comes to whether or not this was an act of terrorism,” Cruz mentioned. 

The police chief famous how lucky it was that there was a heavy police presence in Austin’s leisure district on the time, enabling officers to reply shortly as bars had been closing.

“Officers instantly transitioned … and had been confronted with the person with a gun,” Davis mentioned. “Three of our officers returned hearth, killing the suspect.”

She known as the capturing “a tragic, tragic incident.”

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson mentioned his coronary heart goes out to the victims, and he praised the swift response of first responders.

“They positively saved lives,” he mentioned.

Austin police requested anybody with details about witnesses or movies to submit it on-line or name 512-974-TIPS.