Federal authorities continue to investigate the motive behind a shooting in Texas that killed three people, including whether it had a direct connection to the war in Iran.
On Monday, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said investigators are considering the context of current events such as the war in Iran, in addition to other indicators, while probing the “totality” of the March 1 shooting.
The FBI is investigating the shooting as a potential act of terrorism.
FBI Special Agent Alex Doran declined to speculate on a motive at such an early stage in the investigation, but emphasized the agency is tracking every possible lead.
“Any declarations on what led to that motive would be premature,” Doran told reporters during Monday’s press conference when pressed on whether it was directly connected to the war in Iran.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott warned that the state would respond aggressively to any individual trying to use the war abroad to threaten his state.
Diagne first entered the U.S in 2000 on a B-2 tourist visa and became a lawful permanent resident six years later after marrying a U.S. citizen, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2013.
Diagne drove past the bar several times before stopping and shooting from the window of his SUV at patrons on a patio and in front of Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden along Sixth Street, a few miles from the University of Texas at Austin.
The suspected gunman then parked, got out of his vehicle with a rifle and began shooting at people walking along the street before officers rushed to the intersection and fatally shot him.
The slain victims have since been identified as 19-year-old Ryder Harrington, 21-year-old Savitha Shan and 30-year-old Jorge Pederson.
More than a dozen others were wounded in the shooting.
“Radical Islam has no place in Texas and our country,” Cornyn said. “To those who wish to harm Americans or commit acts of terrorism in the name of Islam, you and your beliefs are not welcome here, and we will use every tool in our arsenal to ensure justice is swiftly served.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
