A gunman opened fire outside a popular West Sixth Street beer garden early Sunday, killing two people and injuring 14 others before Austin police shot and killed him, authorities said as the FBI joined the investigation for possible ties to terrorism.
The shooting erupted in one of Austin’s busiest nightlife areas just before bars were closing, leaving a wide stretch of downtown sealed off while investigators searched for evidence and tracked down witnesses. Police Chief Lisa Davis said the suspect acted alone, but federal agents said early signs found on the gunman and in his vehicle raised questions about motive. City leaders praised the fast response by police, firefighters and medics as victims were rushed to hospitals across the area.
Police said the first 911 call came in at 1:59 a.m. Sun., March 1, reporting a man shooting near Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on the 700 block of West Sixth Street. Davis said the suspect drove an SUV close to the bar, turned on the vehicle’s hazard lights, lowered his window and began firing a pistol toward people on the patio and on the sidewalk in front. After that first burst of gunfire, the man parked, got out carrying a rifle and fired again toward people passing by, Davis said. Officers working nearby in the East Sixth Street entertainment corridor moved quickly toward the sound of shots. Davis said three officers encountered the armed suspect and fired, killing him at the scene. Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said first responders arrived within 57 seconds and treated 17 people at the scene.
Luckritz said three people were pronounced dead at the scene, including the shooter, and 14 others were taken to area hospitals. Three of the hospitalized victims were listed in critical condition, officials said, while others were treated for gunshot wounds and related injuries in the chaos outside the bar. Ambulances lined the street as medics triaged patients under bright work lights and police tried to clear a path through crowds and parked cars. Authorities did not release the ages of the victims or say whether any were employees of the bar. Davis said investigators were working to notify families before releasing names. Police also directed families searching for loved ones to the department’s victim services team as hospital staff worked to match patients with relatives. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said the rapid response kept the toll from rising. “They definitely saved lives,” Watson said.
Investigators said they were still sorting out the gunman’s movements in the minutes before and during the attack. Police said the suspect used at least two firearms, a pistol and a rifle, and officers recovered weapons and other items for testing. Detectives were reviewing security video from businesses along West Sixth Street and body camera video from officers who confronted the suspect, officials said. Police did not say how many rounds were fired or how many people were hit in the first volley versus the later gunfire after the suspect left the SUV. Officers continued to search the area for evidence through the morning, with yellow tape stretching across intersections and police vehicles blocking traffic. Davis said there were no other suspects, but she also said investigators were still interviewing witnesses who may have seen the suspect arrive and park.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force joined the case as investigators looked at what could have driven the attack. Alex Doran, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio field office, said the shooting was “potentially” an act of terrorism. Doran said investigators found “indicators” on the suspect and in his vehicle that suggested a possible terrorism connection, but he stressed it was too soon to reach a final conclusion. Officials did not describe what those indicators were, and they did not say whether the suspect had left any message or communicated with anyone about his plans. Police also did not release details about the suspect’s identity, including where he lived or whether he had a criminal record, saying investigators were still working through background checks and digital evidence.
The attack happened in an entertainment district known for packed sidewalks, live music and crowded patios on weekend nights. West Sixth Street is lined with bars and restaurants that draw students, tourists and residents, and the area typically sees a heavy police presence during late-night hours. Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden is known as a large indoor-outdoor venue with a wide beer selection and a big patio that often stays busy until closing time. The shooting unfolded near a cluster of bars in the part of Sixth Street that sits west of downtown’s historic blocks. By sunrise, officers stood at intersections near West Avenue and other cross streets while city crews and investigators moved through the scene and business owners waited for word on when the area would reopen.
Local and state officials reacted through the morning as details emerged. Austin City Council member Vanessa Fuentes said the city was “shaken” and called the night “tragic” while praising first responders for quick action and lifesaving aid. U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, whose district includes parts of Austin, said the attack showed the fear that can follow a night out in a crowded public place. The Austin Police Association and the Texas Municipal Police Association highlighted the speed of the police response and said officers stopped the threat before more people were hurt. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said the violence appeared “calculated” and thanked officers who confronted the gunman. Officials did not say whether the suspect targeted any specific person or group, and investigators said they were still building a full picture of the gunman’s intent.
Because the suspect is dead, prosecutors are not expected to file charges against him, but the investigation will continue as a major case involving multiple victims and possible federal interest. Police said the medical examiner would conduct autopsies and confirm the causes of death for the victims and the shooter. Investigators said they would complete ballistic testing, map the paths of bullets and match shell casings to weapons recovered at the scene. Federal agents said they would also review the suspect’s travel, contacts and online activity as they evaluate whether the case meets the legal definition of terrorism. Austin police scheduled additional briefings Sunday, and officials said more information would be released as victims are identified and families are notified. Detectives also said they would keep seeking tips from anyone who was on West Sixth Street just before 2 a.m. and saw the suspect’s SUV stop near the bar.
By Sunday afternoon, police had not released the names of the dead or wounded, and three victims remained in critical condition, officials said. Investigators said their next public update would come after they complete early evidence collection and confirm victim identities, while the FBI continues reviewing what agents called possible indicators tied to motive.
Author note: Last updated March 1, 2026.