UT Student Savitha Shan Killed in Austin Mass Shooting

Shan's family remembers her as a "bright, compassionate, and deeply caring" young woman whose death has left an "irreplaceable void".

Mar. 3, 2026 at 11:05pm

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Savitha Shan, a 21-year-old student at the University of Texas at Austin, was one of three people killed in a mass shooting in downtown Austin on March 1, 2026. Shan's family and the UT community have mourned her loss, describing her as a superstar student who was set to graduate in May and start a career at a major professional services firm.

Why it matters

The tragic shooting in Austin has shaken the local community and raised concerns about gun violence, particularly in crowded urban areas. Shan's death has also highlighted the immense grief felt by the families and friends of mass shooting victims, as well as the lasting impact on academic institutions and communities when young, promising lives are cut short.

The details

According to authorities, the shooting occurred at around 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, at Buford's Backyard Beer Garden in downtown Austin. The suspected shooter, Ndiaga Diagne, 53, opened fire, killing three people and hospitalizing 13 others. Shan, a double major honors student at UT's McCombs School of Business, was one of the victims. Her family and professors have remembered her as a bright, compassionate, and deeply involved student who was poised to start her career after graduation.

  • The shooting occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
  • Shan's death was confirmed by UT officials on Monday, March 2, 2026.
  • Shan was set to graduate from UT in May 2026.

The players

Savitha Shan

A 21-year-old student at the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business who was killed in the mass shooting in downtown Austin.

Ndiaga Diagne

The 53-year-old suspected shooter who opened fire at Buford's Backyard Beer Garden, killing three people and hospitalizing 13 others.

Jim Davis

The president of the University of Texas at Austin, who issued a statement mourning the loss of the UT student killed in the shooting.

Russ Finney

A professor at the UT Austin McCombs School of Business who eulogized Savitha Shan as a "superstar student" and "light in the classroom".

Riddhi Goel

A fellow UT student and Savitha Shan's roommate, who paid tribute to her memory and mourned her "unfinished life".

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What they’re saying

“Savitha was a bright, compassionate, and deeply caring young woman whose presence brought warmth, comfort and joy to everyone who knew her. Her sudden and heartbreaking passing has left an irreplaceable void in our lives and in the lives of all who loved her.”

— Savitha Shan's parents

“Savitha was one of our superstar students at the UT Austin McCombs school of business - she was set to graduate this May, and then she was on to start her career at a big professional services firm. She was a double major with honors. Involved in student organizations - a light in the classroom. Absolutely crushing to lose her.”

— Russ Finney, Professor, UT Austin McCombs School of Business

“[Y]ou deserve to walk the stage at graduation and get married and everything in between. I mourn all our unfinished plans, from our upcoming trip this weekend to San Diego to building our new living room furniture together in august. I will think about you and love you always.”

— Riddhi Goel, UT Student and Savitha Shan's Roommate

What’s next

The Austin Police Department is continuing its investigation into the mass shooting, and the community is expected to hold memorial services and events to honor the victims, including Savitha Shan.

The takeaway

The tragic loss of Savitha Shan, a promising young student on the cusp of graduating and starting her career, has devastated her family, friends, and the broader UT community. Her death serves as a somber reminder of the immense human toll of gun violence and the need for comprehensive solutions to address this persistent public safety issue.