Who Was Savitha Shan? Indian-American 'Superstar' Student Among Victims Of US Shooting

Last Updated:March 03, 2026, 20:17 IST

Savitha Shan served on the executive board of the Indian Students Association and volunteered with the Austin Tamil Sangam.

Savitha Shan, a 21-year-old Indian-American honors student at the University of Texas, was among four people killed in a mass shooting in Austin’s West Sixth Street entertainment district. The gunman, identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, was shot dead by Austin police at the scene. The other victims were 19-year-old Ryder Harrington and 30-year-old Jorge Pederson. Fourteen others were injured in the attack.

The shooting took place at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a popular nightlife spot, and authorities are investigating the incident, reviewing thousands of hours of video and interviewing more than 150 witnesses. Reports indicate the suspect was wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with an Iranian flag and the words “Property of Allah."

Savitha Shan: A Stellar Student And Campus Leader

Savitha Shan, whose full name was Savitha Shanmugasundaram, was an Austin native and a senior pursuing a dual degree at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business and the College of Liberal Arts, majoring in Management Information Systems and Economics. She had been set to graduate in May 2026 and had already secured a position with a major professional services firm.

Described by professors as a “superstar student," Savitha Shan combined academic excellence with leadership in campus life. She served on the executive board of the Indian Students Association and volunteered with the Austin Tamil Sangam.

In her LinkedIn profile, she wrote: “As a dual-degree student at the University of Texas at Austin, I blend 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’ve had the opportunity to work with organizations ranging from global financial institutions to early-stage startups."

Russ Finney, an assistant professor at the McCombs School of Business, paid tribute to Savitha Shan on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Savitha was one of our superstar students… a double major with honors. Involved in student organizations – a light in the classroom. Absolutely crushing to lose her."

UT Austin President Jim Davis also described Savitha Shan as “a child of loving parents, a loyal friend to many, and a Longhorn preparing to change the world."

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