APD Releases Body Cam Footage, 911 Calls from West 6th Street Mass Shooting
The images are hard to watch — but they are impossible to ignore.
On Thursday, the Austin Police Department released a trove of video and audio from the horrific mass shooting that shattered the early morning calm of West 6th Street just four days earlier. Body-worn camera footage, surveillance video, witness cellphone recordings, 911 calls, and police radio traffic were all made public by APD Chief Lisa Davis at a press conference held at department headquarters. What emerged from that footage was not only a clearer picture of a chaotic, violent scene — it was an undeniable testament to the bravery of the officers who ran directly into harm’s way.
A Night of Terror, Captured on Camera
The sequence of events began at 1:58 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, when 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne drove a black Cadillac SUV southbound on Rio Grande Street alongside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden — a popular bar among UT Austin students and young adults at West 6th and Rio Grande.
He activated his hazard lights, rolled down his window, and opened fire on the crowd gathered outside with a semi-automatic pistol. He then drove west on 6th Street, parked near Wood Street, stepped out of the vehicle armed with an AR-15-style rifle, and continued shooting as he walked back toward the bar.
The 911 calls released Thursday capture the terror of that night in raw, visceral form. “There has been a shooting at Buford’s on Sixth Street,” one caller told dispatchers. “There are people dead over here. We need help right now.” The radio traffic that followed reveals officers already scrambling to the scene — and arriving with remarkable speed.
APD officers and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services personnel reached the scene within just 57 seconds of the first 911 calls.
Body camera footage shows officers sprinting along West 6th Street, weaving through panicked bystanders who were running in every direction, shouting “Everybody down!” and asking, “Where is he?” Screams fill the audio. The street is chaos.
But then something remarkable happens.
Bystanders and Officers, Working Together
In the body cam footage, Austin civilians — many of them taking cover behind parked cars and electrical boxes — begin calling out to the officers, helping guide them toward the gunman. “Sixth, Sixth, Sixth!” bystanders can be heard yelling. “Right there, right there!” At 2:03 a.m. — just five minutes after the first shots were fired — three officers located Diagne near the intersection of West 6th Street and West Avenue, spotted him carrying the rifle, and engaged.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Three people lost their lives: 21-year-old Savitha Shan, a UT Austin student; 19-year-old Ryder Harrington, a former Texas Tech student; and 30-year-old Jorge Pederson, who died at the hospital the following afternoon. Nineteen others were wounded by gunfire. The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism.
Thursday’s release of video and audio revealed that 19 people were shot, a higher total than previously reported that includes the gunman.
Chief Davis was direct in her praise of both officers and civilians. “You saw firsthand they ran into danger to stop this,” she said. “It’s quite clear that they saved multiple lives. To the brave people that were giving directions on where this guy was — everybody was looking to identify him and stop this threat.”
FULL MEDIA BRIEFING
A Department Vindicated — and Celebrated
The release of the footage came alongside a significant legal development. Travis County District Attorney José Garza formally closed his office’s review of the case, declining to bring any charges against the three officers involved. Garza himself acknowledged what the videos make plain: the officers’ response “undoubtedly saved lives and prevented additional injuries,” and that “at the time the officers were responding to an active shooting in a mass casualty situation, and that the subject of the shooting was in the act of using unlawful deadly force.”
Austin police officers who fatally shot a gunman during the mass shooting on Sixth Street early Sunday are being publicly praised, as allegations that the case could be presented to a grand jury have drawn responses from state and local officials.https://t.co/rYPugySRRO
— CBS Austin (@cbsaustin) March 4, 2026
The decision was welcomed by Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock, who had been vocal in defending the officers throughout the week.
Thank you to every community member, group, and elected official who reached out on behalf of our officers to make this happen.
— Michael Bullock (@MBullockATX) March 4, 2026
While I can count on one hand the times we’ve agreed – I also want to thank DA Garza.
I’m grateful to see this statement from District Attorney… https://t.co/QYwtY5qxlP
On the response itself, Bullock was unequivocal. “I’m not sure how much more we can improve when you’re on scene and helping people in seconds,” he said. “I’m just incredibly proud of what they did, and I think they did a phenomenal job.”
Over the past few days, we’ve received countless messages from people across Austin and beyond asking how the officers who responded to the mass shooting in downtown on Sunday morning are doing, and expressing their gratitude for the way they responded.
— Michael Bullock (@MBullockATX) March 5, 2026
We want you to know that… pic.twitter.com/HSbOuIn0oZ
Lawmakers from across the political spectrum echoed that sentiment. Governor Greg Abbott had already declared on social media, “These police officers are heroes who saved lives.” State Rep. John Bucy said he was “deeply grateful to our APD officers, EMS providers, and first responders who ran toward danger to save lives.” Austin City Council Member Zo Qadri, whose district includes downtown, called the officers heroes and noted that first responders were “on scene in less than a minute.” Mayor Kirk Watson, who had praised the response from the outset, said plainly: “I don’t think there’s any question: It saved lives.”
The officers are also set to be formally recognized by the Youth Peace and Justice Foundation — formerly The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, established after the 2022 school massacre.
“What occurred in Austin was a textbook example of decisive, coordinated intervention under extreme pressure. Their response reflects disciplined training and compassion for the lives they were sworn to protect.” — Foundation founder Daniel Chapin
The organization also announced a grant to the Austin Police Department in connection with the recognition.
Chills. Absolute bravery. Nothing but praise for @Austin_Police, y’all saved so many lives that night.
— Albert Rey Perez (@albertreyperez) March 6, 2026
Whole city is proud of how quickly y’all responded. https://t.co/pa9qyXBqXf
The exemplary actions by Austin law enforcement and first responders saved lives. They represented the best of our city on Saturday night.
— Lloyd Doggett (@RepLloydDoggett) March 4, 2026
Now we must heed this powerful message from the @statesman: “If the spray of gunfire on West Sixth Street was meant to sow fear and…
Austin City Council Member Zo Qadri looks at ways council can help during tragedy, and how to prevent them in the future.
A City Reckoning — and Rallying
Austin has had a complicated relationship with its police department in recent years, shaped by national debates over policing, use-of-force policies, and department staffing shortfalls. But the events of March 1 — and now the footage that documents them — have shifted something in the civic conversation.
This was not a department that hesitated. These were officers who, in the dead of night, in a crowd of hundreds, with gunfire still ringing out, ran toward the threat. They moved in seconds, not minutes. They coordinated with civilians, rendered aid to victims, and neutralized a gunman carrying a military-style rifle — all within five minutes of the first shot being fired.
Chief Davis said the footage was released not for shock value, but in the spirit of transparency. “We didn’t do this for the shock value,” she said. “This is about being as transparent as we can.” In doing so, APD has given Austin — and the country — an unfiltered look at what it means to serve and protect under the most extreme circumstances imaginable.
From (Austin American-Statesman)
The three victims, Savitha Shan, Ryder Harrington, and Jorge Pederson, deserved better than the fate that found them on West 6th Street. Their families and the Austin community are still grieving. But in watching the footage, Austinites can see clearly that when horror descended on their city, the officers of the Austin Police Department did not flinch.
They ran toward it.
The full video and audio materials released by APD are available on the department’s YouTube channel and official social media platforms.
Austin police officers are now prohibited from arresting or detaining someone solely on the basis of a noncriminal warrant issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to a department memo released Thursday. (Austin American-Statesman)
Statement from @joseforatx and I on the revised General Orders from APD. Thanks to @APDChiefDavis and her staff for all their work on this. pic.twitter.com/XvwshoQxDU
— Mayor Pro Tem Chito Vela, III (@chitoforatx) March 6, 2026
ICE activity was spotted in Southeast Austin yesterday. Following a traffic stop by a Uhland police officer, immigration officers arrived at the scene to make an arrest.
An audit found major gaps in the City of Austin’s oversight of consultant contracts, raising concerns about how hundreds of millions in spending were monitored. (Austin AMerican-Statesman)
Meanwhile, the city’s light rail project is progressing.
A new class of firefighters will be officially sworn in today.
"Earned in Pain. Worn with Pride."
— Austin Fire Dept (@austinfiredept) March 5, 2026
Class 141 is ready to cross the stage! Join us tomorrow as we welcome our newest firefighters to the family.
📍 Bannockburn Church (7100 Brodie Ln)
🕐 Friday, March 6 at 1 p.m.
Congrats, team! #AustinFire #ATX pic.twitter.com/fRXIHXDufR
A Travis County jury has convicted Tyrone Thompson, 25, of double murder in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash that killed two pedestrians during South by Southwest in 2024.
Reports of a shooting overnight.
(Time of call was 4:31 a.m. CST. The timestamp shown is PST.)
No other information is available.
An Austin police officer will not face charges for a fatal 2025 shooting. After reviewing the May 17 incident involving Danny Lee Palomino, a Travis County special grand jury declined to indict Officer Joshua Jackson, effectively clearing him of criminal wrongdoing in the case. (CBS Austin)
Two North Carolina men are facing multiple charges after Caldwell County authorities made a vehicle stop Wednesday on Highway 321 that led to the discovery and seizure of about $34,000 worth of methamphetamine.
PODCAST
Yesterday, Austin police released new details about the deadly shooting that unfolded early Sunday on West Sixth Street, including 911 calls and video footage from the area. On this week’s Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by producers Elissa Castles and Eva Ruth Moravec to unpack the latest developments and what officers’ body cameras reveal about the scene. Later, the team is joined by Omar Gallaga, a Central Texas-based tech reporter, to discuss how artificial intelligence played a role during Texas’ primary elections and then, we bring you some good news to take you through the weekend.
Construction is starting next week on a road in North Austin that is home to Q2 Stadium, The Domain, and so much growth in North Austin. Burnet Road sees as many as 3,700 vehicles a day. The project has been in the works for more than 15 years.
Stage 3 emergency water restrictions continue in Pflugerville.
The Austin-Travis County Wildfire Coalition is updating the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
WEATHER
THURSDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
President Donald Trump said he would be making an endorsement soon for the Texas GOP Senate primary and would ask the other candidate to drop out.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says he would consider dropping out of the U.S. Senate runoff election if Congress passes the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote.
Congressman Tony Gonzales, embroiled in a controversy that’s clouded his reelection campaign, announced Thursday night in a post on X that he was dropping out of the race.
The announcement comes only days after Gonzales moved on to a runoff primary against conservative activist Brandon Herrera, but months after admitting he had an affair with a former staff member who later died by suicide. Gonzales said he would still complete his term in Congress.
Herrera responded:
Gonzales, a Republican who represents Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, had been urged by GOP leadership to drop his reelection bid after publicly acknowledging the relationship. Party leaders had not initially called for his resignation, instead asking him to withdraw from the 2026 race.
The announcement comes one day after Gonzales admitted to the affair during an interview on “The Joe Pags Show.”
A judge has declined to close Camp Mystic after the family of one of the 27 campers and staffers killed in last summer’s deadly Hill Country flooding sued to that end earlier this year.
The Texas Department of Public Safety will increase patrols across the state beginning this weekend as part of its annual spring break and St. Patrick’s Day traffic enforcement campaign.
San Antonio police will get a boost in their efforts to combat gang violence, with a $4 million grant from the state that will fund a specialized anti-gang team.
A former postal worker in Smithville has been arrested after she allegedly helped siphon about $1.6 million in checks through an identity theft and forgery operation that targeted local businesses over several years, according to the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office.
Houston’s public transportation services are set to receive more than $9 million in federal funding for improvements ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Houston Public Media)
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASEBALL: Following its fourth run-rule win of the season, No. 3 Texas hosts USC Upstate for a three-game set at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. The two sides have never squared off on the diamond previously. The Longhorns have only faced one other Big South program, topping Winthrop on March 5, 2002 and March 4, 2007. (Texas Longhorns)
NBA: Dallas, Houston and San Antonio all saw action last night but only the Spurs came away winners.
Victor Wembanyama had 38 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks and the San Antonio Spurs never trailed in completing a sweep of Detroit, beating the Pistons 121-106 on Thursday night. It was San Antonio’s first game at home after a nearly a month-long trip. (Associated Press)
After the game, there was a reported shooting outside .
Losses for the Rockets and Mavericks Thursday night.
ON THE SCHEDULE
All three teams are right back at it tonight.
STANDINGS
NHL: More news out of the Dallas Stars camp.
The Nashville Predators traded winger Michael Bunting to the Dallas Stars in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick. (Tennessean via MSN)
A marquee matchup tonight:
Upon the news that Six Flags says it’s selling seven of its amusement parks, including the Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston in Texas, in an effort to concentrate on “innovation, expansion, and elevated guest experiences”, let’s go back a remember a giant among Six Flags parks in Texas…
A deep dive into Houston’s much beloved former theme park, Six Flags Astroworld, and its eventual demolition.
