Texas AG Calls for Stricter Vetting After Deadly Shooting by Naturalized Citizen

Paxton says Congress must 'figure out' how to better vet immigrants after attack in Austin

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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In the aftermath of a deadly shooting rampage in Texas by a gunman who was a naturalized U.S. citizen from Senegal, state Attorney General Ken Paxton says authorities 'have to do a better job vetting people when they come here.' Paxton, who is challenging longtime Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary, criticized the Biden administration's immigration policies and called on Congress to improve the vetting process for new immigrants.

Why it matters

The shooting has reignited political debates over immigration and national security, with Republicans calling for stricter vetting of immigrants and Democrats pushing for gun reform. The attack also highlights ongoing concerns about domestic terrorism and the radicalization of individuals, regardless of their immigration status.

The details

The suspect, Ndiaga Diagne, was a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Senegal and lived in Pflugerville, Texas. Diagne was wearing a sweatshirt that read 'Property of Allah' and an undershirt featuring an Iranian flag when he carried out the attack, which left three people, including the gunman, dead and more than a dozen injured. Authorities also found an Iranian flag and photos of regime leaders in Diagne's apartment.

  • The shooting took place over the weekend in Austin, Texas.

The players

Ken Paxton

The Texas Attorney General who is challenging Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary.

John Cornyn

The longtime Republican Senator from Texas who is being challenged by Paxton in the primary.

Ndiaga Diagne

The 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Senegal who carried out the deadly shooting rampage in Austin, Texas.

Wesley Hunt

A Republican candidate in the Texas Senate primary who is a West Point graduate and former Apache helicopter pilot.

Joe Biden

The former President whose immigration policies are being criticized by Republicans in the wake of the Texas shooting.

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What they’re saying

“There's no system that's perfect. If we have immigration, there's going to be no system that's perfect. We do need to do a better job of vetting people, and Congress is going to have to figure out how to do that.”

— Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General

“What it does emphasize to me is the importance of vetting people before they come across the border.”

— John Cornyn, U.S. Senator (Fox News Digital)

“Radical Islam has NO place in Texas.”

— Wesley Hunt (Social media)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Ndiaga Diagne out on bail.

The takeaway

This shooting has reignited debates over immigration vetting, national security, and gun reform, with Republicans calling for stricter policies and Democrats pushing for tighter restrictions. The attack also highlights ongoing concerns about domestic terrorism and the radicalization of individuals, regardless of their immigration status.