On Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 2 AM, gunfire erupted in front of Buford's Bar on West 6th Street in Austin.

The result was three civilian deaths and 14 injuries. The shooter was killed by police at the scene.

The shooter's name was Ndiaga Diagne. He was a naturalized American citizen from Senegal.

The day before, the U.S. had conducted extensive airstrikes on Iran, eliminating its supreme leader, Khamenei.

And less than 24 hours later, this incident occurred in the heart of Texas. He was reportedly wearing a hoodie that said "Property of Allah" and a T-shirt with the design of the Iranian flag underneath. A Quran was found in his vehicle, and photos of Iranian leaders were discovered at his home.

Every time I hear news like this while living in Texas, I think, "Is this place really safe?"

This was not an impulsive act. Diagne drove a large SUV around the block multiple times near Buford's Bar.

Then, with his hazard lights on and the window down, he opened fire with a handgun at the bar's patio and the guests in front.

He then moved west, parked his car, and got out with a rifle, continuing to shoot at passersby.

Fortunately, the Austin police had already deployed officers to the 6th Street entertainment district every weekend.

Emergency responders arrived within 57 seconds of the 911 call, and three officers encountered the suspect walking east and immediately shot him.

Police Chief Lisa Davis stated, "There is no doubt that the swift response of the police and EMS saved lives." This is a fact.

One of the deceased civilians was Ryder Harrington, a 19-year-old student at the University of Texas. A college student who was enjoying time with friends at a bar on Saturday night became a victim by Sunday morning.

FBI Special Agent Alex Doran stated, "There were indicators suggesting a potential connection to terrorism with the suspect and his vehicle." At the same time, investigators are looking into Diagne's past mental health history. They are considering the possibility of self-radicalization, the potential trigger from the airstrikes on Iran, and mental illness. The investigation is ongoing.

Governor Greg Abbott responded immediately. "I clearly warn those who seek to threaten Texas using Middle Eastern conflicts: Texas will respond with decisive and overwhelming force." He ordered increased DPS patrols, enhanced police presence on 6th Street over the weekend, and the deployment of the National Guard.

So, is San Antonio safe?

This is the key question. As a Korean living in Texas, I cannot help but ask, "Is where I live safe?"

Let's look at the numbers. The overall crime rate in San Antonio is 5,951 incidents per 100,000 people, which is 156% higher than the national average.

Property crime, in particular, is serious. Research shows that it has the highest property crime rate among the six major cities in Texas.

However, this is an important "but": violent crime is on a clear downward trend.

In 2023, murders decreased compared to the previous year (231 to 165), and in the first half of 2024, murders dropped by 27% compared to the previous year, along with decreases in robbery and aggravated assault. The "hotspot" strategy implemented by SAPD since 2023 is showing results.

In collaboration with UTSA, patrol cars are stationed in high-crime areas for 15 minutes at a time. This is data-driven policing. This is practically working.

The sense of safety varies greatly by neighborhood. Areas like Stone Oak, Alamo Heights, Shavano Park, and The Dominion are safe compared to anywhere in the U.S.

On the other hand, some areas in the southern and western parts of downtown require caution. In fact, the right question might be, "Where in San Antonio do you live?" It has not yet been confirmed whether any Koreans were among the victims of the Austin shooting, but West 6th Street is a popular gathering place for UT Austin students, and it is highly likely that Korean international students or second-generation Koreans were present at the scene.

Let's face reality. Going to a bar, shopping mall, or school in America carries the risk of gun violence in all these everyday activities.

This Austin shooting shows multiple things at once. How quickly and how close the blowback from the airstrikes on Iran can come. The limitations of the naturalization screening system. The lack of mental health care. And at the same time — the capabilities of emergency responders who arrived on the scene in 57 seconds and police who shot the suspect within a minute. The light and shadow of Texas are revealed simultaneously.

Is San Antonio safe? There are no perfectly safe cities in America.

But if you live in a good neighborhood, maintain situational awareness, and are prepared to exercise your 2nd Amendment rights — I still believe Texas is one of the most livable places in America.