Austin West Sixth Street shooting leaves two victims dead; Texas Tech student identified as investigations continue

What happened and where

A mass shooting unfolded in Austin’s West Sixth Street entertainment district in the early hours of Sunday, March 1, 2026, leaving two victims dead and 14 people hospitalized. The suspect was shot and killed by police at the scene, bringing the total number of deaths to three.

The gunfire erupted near Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a nightlife venue near the University of Texas at Austin campus. Emergency crews treated 17 people at the scene. Three individuals were declared dead on site, including the suspect, while 14 were transported to area hospitals. Officials said three hospitalized patients were listed in critical condition.

How authorities describe the sequence of events

Police described the attack as beginning outside the venue, with the suspect firing toward patrons in the area. Investigators said the suspect did not enter the bar. Austin-Travis County EMS reported that the first emergency call came in at about 1:59 a.m., and that paramedics and officers reached the scene within roughly a minute.

Authorities have described the suspect as armed when officers arrived. Three Austin police officers returned fire, killing the suspect. Investigators later searched the suspect’s vehicle and said it was cleared of additional threats.

Victims and identification

By Monday, March 2, 2026, one of the two victims killed in the attack had been publicly identified by family and community members as Ryder Harrington, a Texas Tech University student. Public tributes described Harrington as a member of a fraternity pledge class. Officials have not released a full list of the wounded, and investigators have continued notifying families.

Investigation and possible motive

State and federal investigators are examining the suspect’s background and potential motivation. Authorities have said the case is being evaluated for a possible terrorism nexus, and federal resources have been involved as the inquiry proceeds. Officials have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that early indicators being reviewed have not yet been presented as final conclusions.

What officials have asked the public to do

• People with video, photos, or other recordings from West Sixth Street around the time of the shooting have been asked to provide them to investigators.
• Families seeking help locating relatives affected by the shooting have been directed to victim-services resources set up for the incident.

Officials have said the rapid arrival of police and EMS reduced the likelihood of additional casualties, while cautioning that details may change as interviews and evidence reviews continue.

The investigation remained active Monday, with authorities continuing to process the scene, review footage, and conduct interviews as the city and university-area community mourned the dead and monitored the condition of the injured.