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By Jordan King
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the state is taking "seriously" the possibility of the Austin shooting being terrorist activity, and that it may have been a sleeper cell operation linked to the war with Iran.
At least three people died and 14 were hospitalized when a gunman opened fire outside a bar in Austin, Texas, in the early hours of Sunday.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said it was probing a potential link to terrorism and, on Monday, Abbott said the state of Texas is “taking seriously the possibility of terrorist activity,” adding that “you could have either sleeper cells or lone wolfs acting.”
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Why It Matters
The FBI said indicators at the scene and in the suspect’s vehicle pointed to a potential terrorism link, prompting a joint federal-local probe and renewed focus on soft-target security in the city.
Abbott’s comments highlight concerns that overseas conflicts could inspire or activate actors in the United States, raising the stakes for state and federal coordination on threat detection and rapid response.
What To Know
At least three people died and 14 were hospitalized after a gunman opened fire outside Buford’s bar near West 6th Street early Sunday; the suspect was shot and killed by responding officers.
The FBI’s acting agent in charge in San Antonio, Alex Doran, said it was “way too early” to determine motive but cited indicators “on the subject and in his vehicle” that suggested a potential terrorism connection.
In an interview with Fox Business’s Mornings with Maria, Abbott said: “Exactly what happened here in Austin, Texas, and you oftentimes see when there’s a war breaking out like this, where the United States may be going against a country like Iran, that you could have either sleeper cells or lone wolfs acting.”
He added that he had deployed more Texas Department of Public Safety Officers and the Texas National Guard to patrol certain areas considered sensitive.
What People Are Saying
Greg Abott said on Monday: “Early that morning, on Saturday morning, we made clear to the public that the state of Texas is taking seriously the possibility of terrorist activity, lone wolf, lone wolf activity.”
Agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio office Alex Doran said in a Sunday press conference: "Obviously, it's still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation, but there were indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate a potential nexus to terrorism."
"Again, it's still too early to make a determination on that. That's why we're investigating it very closely with our partners with Austin Police Department."
What Happens Next
Authorities said they would provide updates as evidence is processed and interviews continued.
Texas said it increased patrols by the Department of Public Safety and deployed the Texas National Guard to sensitive areas while investigators worked to determine motive and any potential external ties.
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