Austin bar taking pictures investigated as doable terrorism after gunman kills two and wounds 14 in Texas | EUROtoday

A mass taking pictures at a bar in Austin is being investigated as a doable act of terrorism after “indicators” had been discovered on the gunman and in his automobile, in line with the FBI.

The taking pictures at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden within the Texas metropolis’s leisure district left three folks lifeless, together with the shooter, and no less than 14 others wounded.

The suspect, whose identify was not instantly launched, drove previous the bar a number of occasions earlier than stopping and taking pictures a pistol out the window of his SUV at folks on a patio and in entrance of the bar, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis mentioned at a information convention Sunday.

The gunman then parked his automobile, bought out with a rifle, and commenced taking pictures at folks strolling within the space earlier than officers who ran to the intersection shot him, Davis mentioned.

The FBI mentioned it’s investigating whether or not the taking pictures was act of terrorism due to “indicators” discovered on the gunman and in his automobile. The company didn’t elaborate on what objects had been discovered.

“It’s still too early to make a determination on that,” Alex Doran, the appearing agent in command of the FBI’s San Antonio workplace, mentioned.

The taking pictures occurred exterior Buford’s simply earlier than 2 a.m. alongside the Sixth Street, a nightlife vacation spot stuffed with bars and music golf equipment and only some miles from the University of Texas.

Police had been already close by after they bought stories of a taking pictures and raced to the scene.

EMS Chief Robert Luckritz mentioned emergency employees had been on the scene of the taking pictures lower than a minute after receiving a name for help.

He confirmed that three folks had been discovered lifeless on the scene and that 14 others had been wounded. Three of the injured had been admitted to regional hospitals in vital situation.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the speedy response in the course of the press convention.

“Our hearts go out to the people that are victims of this. And I want to again reiterate my thanks to our public safety officers and officials that so rapidly were on the scene,” Watson mentioned. “They definitely saved lives.”

The FBI is becoming a member of with the Austin Police Department to analyze the taking pictures.

“This is a tragic, tragic incident,” Davis mentioned. “Our federal partners are here, as well as others, and this will be a scene that will take several hours to process.”

Police had been nonetheless analyzing the scene on Sunday morning, in line with the Austin American-Statesman. Some officers had been reportedly gathering surveillance video from the realm of the taking pictures and accumulating witness statements from these nonetheless on the scene.

A former Buford’s supervisor informed the paper that not one of the restaurant’s workers had been injured within the assault.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.