A man deliberately drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter early on New Year’s Day, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more, authorities reported.
The truck, which displayed a black ISIS flag, is being treated as part of a terrorism investigation, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The driver, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar from Texas, reportedly posted videos to social media before the attack expressing admiration for ISIS and a desire to kill.
The vehicle, an electric Ford pickup truck, was rented on December 30 in the Houston area before Jabbar traveled to New Orleans.
FBI officials said they do not believe Jabbar acted alone and are investigating potential accomplices, as well as any possible links to terrorist groups.
Weapons and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found in the truck, with one additional device located and detonated in the French Quarter. No foreign terror group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
After ramming the truck onto the sidewalk and attempting to hit as many people as possible, Jabbar exited the vehicle and fired at officers.
He was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police. Two officers were injured but are stable.
Investigators are also looking into a fire at an Airbnb property linked to Jabbar, as well as the possibility that he was wearing body armor during the attack.
The investigation continues with federal, state, and local agencies working together.
Officials Respond to “Horrific Act of Violence” in New Orleans
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry described the incident as “a horrific act of violence” and expressed his thoughts and prayers for the victims and first responders. He urged the public to avoid the area.
New Orleans Coroner Dr. Dwight McKenna confirmed that at least 15 people have died as a result of the attack.
He stated that autopsies would take several days, and victim identifications would be released after consultations with next of kin.
At the time of the attack, Bourbon Street was packed with New Year’s Day revelers. Witnesses told one media source that a white truck sped into the crowd, followed by the driver firing a weapon from inside the vehicle.
Police returned fire as emergency responders treated the injured at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal Streets.
The City of New Orleans reported that 30 people were transported to local hospitals, with 10 confirmed dead. Later, authorities raised the number of hospitalized individuals to at least 35.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick called the attack a deliberate act of carnage, emphasizing the driver’s intent to cause harm.
The FBI is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and the U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. President Biden was briefed on the attack, and his administration is in contact with local authorities to provide support.
In a statement, President Biden pledged to ensure that all available resources are used to determine the cause of the attack and eliminate any potential threats.
He expressed his condolences for the victims and reaffirmed that violence against any community would not be tolerated.
President-elect Donald Trump also expressed his support for the victims, their families, and the New Orleans Police Department in a post on TruthSocial.