A US Army veteran driving a pickup truck displaying the flag of the Islamic State terrorist group caused a deadly incident during New Orleans’ New Year’s celebrations. He drove around a police barricade and into a crowd, killing 15 people before being shot by police.
Biden calls act ‘despicable’
US President Joe Biden called the act “despicable” and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families. Addressing the nation from Camp David, he said, “I want you to know I grieve with you. Our nation grieves with you as you mourn and as you heal.” Biden confirmed that the driver had posted videos on social media expressing inspiration from the Islamic State group.
“The FBI also reported to me that mere hours before the attack, he posted videos on social media indicating that he was inspired by ISIS, especially a desire to kill,” Biden said, adding, “The Isis flag was found in his vehicle, which he rented to conduct this attack.”
The driver used a rented Ford pickup truck and had additional IEDs. His Airbnb, located about 1.5 miles from the attack site, burned down earlier the same day. The FBI continues to investigate.
Joe Biden also said that authorities were probing “any possible connection” between a deadly truck-ramming attack in New Orleans and the explosion of a Cybertruck outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas.
Law enforcement are investigating the explosion of the Tesla vehicle “including whether there’s any possible connection with the attack in New Orleans,” Biden told reporters, adding: “Thus far, there’s nothing to report on that score.”
Trump blames illegal immigration
Before authorities confirmed the driver’s identity as an American citizen and Army veteran, initial reports speculated that the vehicle might have crossed the border from Mexico. US President-elect Donald Trump commented on social media, suggesting that his condemnations of immigrants in the country without legal permission had been validated.
“When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true,” Trump said on his website, Truth Social.
How attack unfolded?
The attack began around 3:15 am (local time) on Wednesday when the suspect drove a truck around a police car blocking Bourbon Street and struck multiple people along the street before crashing. He then opened fire, according to officials, and was killed in a shootout with police. Two police officers were among those injured in the attack.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could,” New Orleans Police superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said during a news conference. “He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did.”
What have authorities found in their investigation?
Guns and pipe bombs were found in the suspect’s vehicle, according to the State Police bulletin. The devices were concealed within coolers and wired for remote detonation with a remote control that also was found in the vehicle, the bulletin said.
What was the motive?
The FBI is investigating the incdient as a terrorist attack and believes the driver did not act alone. Guns, an improvised explosive device (IED), and other suspicious devices were found in the vehicle and elsewhere in the French Quarter.
Who was the suspect?
The suspect has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a US Army veteran who was honourably discharged.
Biden confirmed that the driver, identified as Jabbar from Houston, was a former US Army member who also served in the Army Reserves. He said that the investigation is ongoing and cautioned against making assumptions. “The law enforcement and intelligence community continue to look for any connections, associations, or coconspirators. We have nothing in addition to report at this time,” Biden said.
According to the Pentagon, Jabbar served over 10 years in the military as a human resources specialist and IT specialist and was deployed to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010.
Jabbar held a degree in computing from Georgia State University and lived in Houston, Texas, where he had worked as a real estate agent.
The FBI said that it believes Jabbar may have had accomplices but has provided limited additional details at this stage of the investigation.
Place of attack
The attack occurred in the French Quarter, a historic district in New Orleans known for its lively nightlife, including numerous bars, restaurants, and jazz venues.
The French Quarter is famous for hosting Mardi Gras, a pre-Lenten street celebration. At the time of the attack, the city was also hosting tens of thousands of visitors for the Sugar Bowl, a major college football game, which has now been postponed by 24 hours.
