Texas Democrat Jasmine Crocker Comments On Deadly Austin Attack.
Shockwaves are still rippling across Texas after a deadly shooting in Austin left three people dead and more than a dozen injured. But as voters head into a heated Senate primary, the two leading Democratic contenders…
Shockwaves are still rippling across Texas after a deadly shooting in Austin left three people dead and more than a dozen injured. But as voters head into a heated Senate primary, the two leading Democratic contenders are facing sharp criticism for what they didn’t say.
James Talarico and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, both vying for the Democratic nomination, addressed the tragedy — yet neither directly confronted concerns about possible Islamic terrorism, even as federal authorities investigate the attack as a potential act of terror.
Instead, Talarico leaned into faith and gun control.
“I believe in the power of prayer. I believe prayer changes lives,” Talarico said in an interview with MS Now. “But there is something profoundly cynical in asking God to solve a problem we’re not willing to solve ourselves.”
He quickly pivoted to policy, arguing that prayer should be paired with what he calls “commonsense gun safety proposals” such as universal background checks and red flag laws. “Dangerous people should not be allowed to get guns,” he added, reiterating his support for stricter screening measures.
Crockett, meanwhile, took to TikTok with a warning against stereotyping minorities and immigrants in the aftermath of the violence.
“Every time there’s some crazy situation like this, black folks sit around and say, ‘Oh, I hope they’re not black,’” Crockett said. She added that immigrant communities likely feared being blamed as well.
But critics say both Democrats avoided the elephant in the room.
The suspect, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, allegedly opened fire in Austin while wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the words “property of Allah.” Authorities later discovered an Iranian flag and photos of Islamic leaders during a search of his home. His exact motive remains under investigation. He was shot and killed by police at the scene.
The timing has only intensified scrutiny. The attack came just one day after U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iran’s military leadership, reportedly killing Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed federal authorities are assisting in examining whether the shooting constitutes terrorism.