Three dead and 14 hospitalized after shooting at downtown Austin bar, FBI investigating possible terrorism

March 3, 2026

A shooting early Sunday morning at Buford's, a bar on West Sixth at Rio Grande, killed three people and sent 14 others to hospitals. The incident unfolded in Austin's downtown entertainment area, drawing an immediate response from local and federal law enforcement.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said officers shot the suspect, who was later listed among the fatalities. Police treated the scene as a homicide investigation while federal agents opened a separate inquiry into whether the attack qualifies as an act of terrorism.

The FBI has joined the probe, and federal and city investigators are working together to determine motive and sequence of events. Officials have not released the names of the victims or the suspect, and they said more details will come as the investigation continues.

Emergency medical teams transported 14 people to area hospitals for treatment, officials confirmed. Authorities have not publicly described the victims' conditions beyond hospitalization, and hospitals have not released patient identities.

West Sixth is a popular nightlife corridor, and the shooting prompted an immediate law enforcement presence and concern among residents and visitors. Investigators said they will review surveillance footage and witness accounts to reconstruct what happened.

Police and federal agents have not released a timeline for when they will share further findings, and they urged patience as they pursue leads and process the scene. City officials did not announce any changes to public events or city operations at the time of the statement.

The shooting adds to a string of high-profile incidents that prompt both local and federal criminal probes, and the involvement of the FBI signals investigators are looking beyond a single crime scene for possible wider threats or connections. Authorities said they will provide updates as their work progresses.