The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), operating under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), has confirmed its active involvement in the investigation of the deadly mass shooting that occurred early Sunday morning in downtown Austin, Texas.
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The incident, which took place just before 2 a.m. outside Buford's bar on West Sixth Street, left two victims dead and at least 14 others injured. The suspected gunman was fatally shot by police officers at the scene, bringing the total fatalities to three.Authorities, including the Austin Police Department and the FBI, have described the attack as potentially linked to terrorism, with the FBI noting "indicators" suggesting a possible nexus to terrorism based on evidence from the shooter and the vehicle involved.
As a key member of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the NCTC is collaborating closely with federal and local partners on the ground in Austin. This includes working alongside the FBI and Austin law enforcement to conduct a thorough examination of any potential connections to foreign terrorism.NCTC representatives are maintaining continuous communication with ODNI’s 24/7 operations center in Washington, D.C. This ensures that timely and accurate intelligence is promptly shared with all involved agencies to support the ongoing investigation.
The probe remains in its early stages, with officials urging the public to avoid speculation while authorities work to determine the full circumstances and motive behind the shooting. Updates are expected as more details emerge from the multi-agency effort.