An Indian-origin student was among two people killed in a mass shooting in Austin, Texas, early on March 1. Authorities are investigating possible terror links in the attack, which also left 14 others injured.
Officials identified 21-year-old Savitha Shan on March 2 as one of the victims. She was a student at the University of Texas at Austin.
According to law enforcement, the suspected shooter, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, an immigrant from Senegal, opened fire outside a popular beer garden in Austin.
Officials said he was wearing clothing featuring the Iranian flag and the words “Property of Allah.”
Acting FBI Special Agent Alex Doran stated that investigators had found indications of a possible “nexus to terrorism,” and the matter remains under active investigation.
The shooting comes amid heightened security concerns across the United States following recent military escalations involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
FBI Director Kash Patel said counterterrorism and intelligence teams had been placed on high alert.
University of Texas President Jim Davis confirmed Shan’s death in a message to the campus community, describing her as a student “preparing to change the world.”
He called her “a child of loving parents” and “a loyal friend to many.”
According to university radio station KUT, Shan had grown up in Austin. On her LinkedIn profile, she said she was pursuing a dual bachelor’s degree in economics and management information systems, with graduation expected this year.
Shan was actively involved in community and professional activities. She volunteered with the Austin Tamil Sangam, had interned with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Staples, and founded Sunflakestickers, an e-commerce venture.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the suspect first fired at people seated on a patio outside a beer garden, then exited his vehicle and continued shooting at pedestrians with a rifle. Police later shot and killed the suspect.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack.
