Austin Shooting Victims ID’d: Who Were Ryder Harrington and Savitha Shan?

Austin police have identified two people killed in a downtown shooting as Ryder Harrington, 19, and Savitha Shan, 21, as investigators continue searching for a motive and assess the condition of several critically injured victims.

The names were released by the Austin Police Department Monday afternoon. Police initially said Harrington was 22 and Shan 24, before clarifying their ages.

Police identified the gunman as 53‑year‑old Ndiaga Diagne, who was wearing clothing featuring an Iranian flag design and the words “Property of Allah” during the attack early Sunday morning, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press (AP). Diagne was shot and killed in the rampage.

The Context

The mass shooting rattled a dense entertainment district as bars were closing, according to Austin-Travis County EMS, occurring outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden along Sixth Street—an area the AP called a nightlife destination with several bars and music clubs near the University of Texas at Austin.

The FBI’s disclosure that investigators observed “indicators” suggesting a potential link to terrorism elevated national-security concerns while leaving motive undetermined pending further evidence collection.

The FBI and Austin Police Department investigate a shooting at Buford’s on 6th Street in Austin, Texas, on Sunday. (AP Photo/Jack Myer)

What To Know

Fourteen others were injured in the shooting. Austin police said they had no prior warning, and the suspect was not on their radar, adding that one hospitalized victim is expected to be taken off life support later Monday and two others remain in critical condition.

Police said Harrington had previously attended Texas Tech University but was not enrolled this semester, according to the school. Harrington was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Texas Tech, the frat said in a post to Instagram.

In a post to Facebook, Harrington’s older brother Reed Harrington said Ryder was “the best mix of all the Harrington crew” and called his brother’s death “unfair.”

Shan was also among those fatally shot. Her LinkedIn page says that she attended the University of Texas in Austin.

In an email to students on Monday, UT President Jim Davis confirmed one of the school’s students had died but did not name Shan directly. School records named her as Savitha Shanmugasundaram.

“A child of loving parents. A loyal friend to many. A Longhorn preparing to change the world,” Davis wrote. “It is devastating, and I know all of us are grieved by this horrible news and we will remember her.”

Davis went on to say that a number of other UT students had been injured during the attack.

When asked by Newsweek for more details on the victims, Austin police said they could only confirm names and ages at this time.

Police Chief Lisa Davis said at a news conference that authorities were in the early hours of a large, challenging investigation. A motive for the attack remained unclear.

“I cannot imagine the grief, pain and loss these families are feeling today, and my heart is with them,” she said, adding that the department was there for all families affected.

Who Was Ndiaga Diagne?

Diagne, 53, was a naturalized citizen born in Senegal who previously lived in New York City and currently lived in Pflugerville, Texas, multiple outlets reported. The New York Post reported that he was naturalized in 2013 and applied for asylum in 2016.

The newspaper, citing its sources, also reported Diagne had a history of arrests in New York City and Texas.

As reported by the AP, citing authorities, the suspect drove past Buford’s multiple times before stopping and firing a handgun out the window of his SUV toward people on the patio and near the entrance.

Police also told the AP that the man then parked, stepped out with a rifle and opened fire on pedestrians until officers reached the intersection and shot him.

What People Are Saying

Reed Harrington, in a post to Facebook: “I love you more than you will ever know. No matter how old you get, or how much taller than me you are, you will always be my little brother. I know I drove you crazy at times, but nothing will ever compare to getting to be your brother — getting to be your mentor (even when you didn’t want it), and getting to be there to pick you up when you were down (and humble you when you needed it). I don’t think life will ever feel normal again. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do, but I know you will always be there to guide me and be my mentor.”

Kent R. Hance, chancellor emeritus of the Texas Tech University System, on X: “Ryder Harrington was murdered in Austin by a terrorist. Ryder was an outstanding young man. I’ve talked to several people who knew him and everyone had nothing but praise for him and his character. May he rest in peace! Pray for his family.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, on X Sunday: “Texas mourns with the families and loved ones of those who were horrifically killed in last night’s attack in Austin. Cecilia and I pray for them, and we pray for the swift recovery of those who were injured.”

What Happens Next

Investigations remained ongoing Monday afternoon, with more details expected on victims in the coming days.