19-Year-Old College Student Killed in Austin Bar Shooting

Ryder Harrington, a Texas Tech University student, was one of two victims in the attack that also injured 14 others.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A 19-year-old college student named Ryder Harrington was confirmed as one of the two victims killed in a shooting at a bar in Austin, Texas early Sunday morning. The shooting, which is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, also injured at least 14 people. Harrington was a student at Texas Tech University and a member of the school's Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

Why it matters

The shooting in a popular college bar near the University of Texas at Austin campus has shaken the local community and raised concerns about public safety, especially for young people enjoying a night out. The investigation into whether the attack was an act of terrorism also adds to the gravity of the situation.

The details

The shooting occurred just before 2 a.m. near Buford's, a bar frequented by college-age patrons. In addition to the two victims killed, the gunman, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalized American citizen from Senegal, was also killed by police. Of the 14 people injured, five were discharged from the hospital on Sunday, two were in good condition, and the status of the other six was unknown.

  • The shooting occurred just before 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2026.
  • Ryder Harrington's father confirmed his son's death on Monday, March 3, 2026.

The players

Ryder Harrington

A 19-year-old college student at Texas Tech University and member of the school's Beta Theta Pi fraternity, who was killed in the shooting.

Michael Harrington

Ryder Harrington's father, who confirmed his son's death.

Reed Harrington

Ryder Harrington's older brother, who paid tribute to him on social media.

Ndiaga Diagne

The 53-year-old gunman, a naturalized American citizen from Senegal, who was killed by police.

Karan Bhakta

A 21-year-old senior at the University of Texas at Austin, who was injured in the shooting but sustained only minor injuries.

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What they’re saying

“Ryder was a beloved son, brother and friend whose kindness and presence touched countless lives. Ryder had a rare ability to truly enjoy life to make people laugh, to make moments feel bigger, and to make ordinary days unforgettable. If anyone embodied what it meant to live fully and love deeply, it was Ryder.”

— Beta Theta Pi fraternity (Social media post)

“It is unfair, to say the least, that my little brother was only given 19 years on this earth. Watching the man he had become, and seeing all the lives he touched, leaves me certain that this world was robbed of a great future.”

— Reed Harrington, Ryder Harrington's older brother (Social media)

What’s next

The investigation into whether the attack was an act of terrorism is ongoing. The authorities have not yet released the identity of the second victim killed in the shooting.

The takeaway

This tragic incident has shaken the local community and raised serious concerns about public safety, especially for young people enjoying a night out. It serves as a somber reminder of the need for continued vigilance and efforts to prevent such senseless acts of violence.