Erica Siaulnski, Staff Writer
Three people were killed, and over a dozen were injured after a shooting that took place in downtown Dallas in the early morning on March 1st.
The gunman, Ndiaga Diagne, 53 was a naturalized citizen who opened fire in a popular beer garden in the early morning hours of March 1st in the busy area of downtown Dallas. According to court documents, individuals close to Diagne told law enforcement following the incident that Diagne had a history of mental illness and even treated his ex-wife cruelly and was abusive.
At the time of the shooting, Diagne wore a sweatshirt that said, “Property of Allah” with a shirt underneath with the Iranian flag, officials told news sources. Officers shot and killed Diagne shortly after he opened fire in the beer garden.
Diagne had not been previously labeled as a threat nor showed any warning signs according to the Austin Texas police department. Authorities have continued to work on the case and discover a motive, trying to decide if this was an act of terrorism or not.
Different recordings of the incident showed individuals screaming and running for cover. Video footage also shows Diagne circling the bar multiple times in an SUV. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis spoke on the incident stating, “At one point, he put his flashers on, pulled down his window and began using a pistol, shooting out of his car windows, striking patrons of the bar that were on the patio and out in front of the bar,”
Diagne proceeded to park the vehicle, walked out with a rifle and began to shoot at those walking by. When Diagne began to walk down West Sixth Street, authorities managed to shoot and kill him.
A college senior, at the University of Texas at Austin, Nathan Comeaux was out celebrating a friend’s 21st birthday when the shooting occurred. He explained that he had left the bar to get something to eat just before 2 in the morning, when he heard the gunshots. At first no one reacted until police showed up and began to confront Diagne. “People realized it was serious,” he said.
Three of the 14 shot and injured were in critical condition and were rushed to a local hospital. Where three of those injured would not survive.
Ryder Harrington, a 19 year old student at Texas Tech University was killed in the shooting. His family and friends spoke out over social media explaining what a loss they had endured and how distraught the loss of Ryder was.
Jorge Muñoz-Pederson was a graduate from North Dakota University, and was new to Texas. He was also unfortunately shot and killed.
Savitha Shan was a senior student who excelled in college, her parents spoke about her passions and how excited she was to graduate and begin her position post graduation at a consulting firm.
Multiple Texas officials have spoken out, with regards and condolences to family and friends.
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