Shooting at Austin Bar Investigated for Terrorism Link

FBI probing if attack that left 3 dead and 14 injured has ties to Middle East conflict

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A shooting at a popular bar in downtown Austin, Texas, that left three people dead, including the shooter, and 14 others injured is being investigated by the FBI as a potential act of terrorism. The shooting began when a gunman in an SUV opened fire on patrons outside the bar before getting out of the vehicle and continuing to shoot at passersby. Authorities said certain 'indicators' on the shooter and in his vehicle pointed to a 'potential nexus to terrorism', though an exact motive was still unclear.

Why it matters

The shooting has heightened security concerns across the country following recent attacks between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, though authorities have not indicated any direct link to those events. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is involved in the investigation, underscoring the seriousness with which officials are treating the incident.

The details

The shooting began around 2 a.m. when a gunman in a large SUV passed in front of Buford's bar and opened fire on patrons outside. The shooter then parked, got out of the vehicle, and continued shooting at passersby with a rifle before being fatally shot by police. Authorities said the SUV had circled the block a few times before the attack.

  • The shooting occurred shortly before 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
  • The shooter was killed by police at the scene.

The players

Alex Doran

The acting special agent in charge at the FBI's San Antonio field office, which is assisting with the investigation.

Greg Abbott

The governor of Texas, who issued a warning about using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texans or critical infrastructure.

Lisa Davis

The police chief of Austin, who said the shooting occurred in an area regularly patrolled by police and medical personnel on weekends, allowing for a rapid response.

Jim Davis

The president of the University of Texas at Austin, who said people from the school were among those affected by the shooting.

Zohaib Qadri

An Austin city council member who represents the district where the shooting took place, saying the community's sense of safety is shaken.

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What they’re saying

“To anyone who thinks about using the current conflict in the Middle East to threaten Texans or our critical infrastructure, understand this clearly: Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force to protect our state.”

— Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas (idahostatesman.com)

“This is a really tough, tough time for the city of Austin. There are families right now that are unfortunately identifying their loved ones. We have families that are at hospital rooms waiting for outcomes from surgery. That's the reality of what we're dealing with today.”

— Lisa Davis, Police Chief of Austin (idahostatesman.com)

What’s next

The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force will continue investigating the shooting to determine if it has any connection to terrorism, while Texas authorities have increased patrols in downtown Austin.

The takeaway

The shooting in Austin has heightened security concerns across the country following recent tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, underscoring the need for vigilance and a rapid law enforcement response to potential acts of violence or terrorism.