he Savitha Shan, a 21-year-old honors student at the University of Texas at Austin, has been identified as one of three victims killed in a mass shooting in Austin’s 6th Street entertainment district, an attack that authorities are investigating as a possible act of terrorism.
The shooting happened shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a bar popular with college students near the university campus. On Monday night, the Austin Police Department confirmed that three victims — including Shana — died along with the gunman who was killed by police. Fourteen others were injured, several critically.
Savitha Shan: Up-and-coming senior at UT Austin
Savitha Shan was a senior pursuing a dual degree at the University of Texas at Austin. According to university records, her legal surname was Shanmugasundaram. She was widely regarded as one of the outstanding students of the institution.
In a letter to the campus community, UT Austin President Jim Davis described her as “a child of loving parents. A loyal friend to many. A Longhorn preparing to change the world.”
Shan was heavily involved in student life, serving on the executive board of the Indian Students Association. Faculty members remembered her as academically exceptional and professionally driven.
Russ Finney, an assistant professor at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business, wrote on X that Shan was “one of our superstar students at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business” and was preparing to start her career at a major professional services firm.
Her LinkedIn the biography reflected a clear professional vision and intellectual ambition:
As a dual degree student at the University of Texas at Austin, I combine a strong foundation in management information systems and economics with a passion for using technology to solve complex business problems. With hands-on experience in technology strategy consulting, product management and business analytics, I have had the opportunity to work with organizations ranging from global financial institutions to fledgling startups.
I thrive in cross-functional teams and enjoy translating data into meaningful insights that lead to strategic decisions. Whether it’s designing dashboards, streamlining project workflows, or launching user-centric products, I’m driven by a curiosity for innovation and a commitment to effective execution.
He is currently exploring opportunities in technical consulting, product management and business strategy. Feel free to contact me at savithashan@utexas.edu
The LinkedIn bio also says that Shan worked as an intern at PwC.
The 6th Street shooting: what happened
The attack took place in the heart of Austin’s nightlife hub. Authorities said the gunman, identified as Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal, opened fire outside the bar before police fatally shot him.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said investigators found items on the suspect and in his vehicle indicating a “potential link to terrorism.” Officials said he was wearing a sweatshirt that said “Property of Allah” and a Koran was found in his car.
The violence comes at a time of heightened security concerns across the country following military developments involving the United States, Israel and Iran over the weekend.
More victims identified
Texas police also confirmed the deaths of Ryder Harrington, 19, who died at the scene, and Jorge Pederson, 30, who later died after being taken off life support.
Harrington, from Austin, previously attended Texas Tech University. In a social media post, the Beta Theta Pi fraternity described him as:
“Ryder was a beloved son, brother and friend whose kindness and presence touched countless lives. Ryder had a rare ability to truly enjoy life, to make people laugh, to make moments bigger, and to make ordinary days memorable. If anyone epitomized what it means to live fully and love deeply, it was Ryder.”
“It’s unfair to say the least that my little brother was only given 19 years on this earth. Watching the man he’s become and seeing all the lives he’s touched, I’m sure this world was robbed of a great future.”
Injury and campus response
Of the 14 injured, two remained in critical condition Monday afternoon, Police Chief Lisa Davis said. Five victims have been released from hospital and the other two are said to be in good condition.
President Davis confirmed that several University of Texas students were among the injured.
“Some of them are very serious and we hope for the best, while others are on the road to recovery,” he wrote.
One survivor, Karan Bhakta, a 21-year-old senior at the university, said a bullet grazed his scalp as he enjoyed a night out with friends.
Monday morning, the UT Austin campus seemed subdued. Students described renewed anxiety about gun violence in public spaces. Ray Zhu, a biomedical engineering student, said:
“Every time I go out, I’ll probably have to think about the threat of my life being in danger.
