A man intentionally drove a pickup truck into a group of people celebrating on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, United States, early on New Year’s Day, resulting in at least 15 deaths and many injuries, according to authorities.
Officials noted that a pickup truck with a black ISIS flag on its rear bumper was involved in the incident, which is under investigation as a terrorist act by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The driver of the truck has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, according to the FBI.
President Biden, in televised remarks Wednesday evening, stated that the FBI found Jabbar had uploaded videos on social media just hours before the attack. These videos showed he was inspired by ISIS and expressed a desire to kill.
The FBI reported that the vehicle, an electric Ford pickup, seems to have been rented. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick mentioned on social media that Jabbar had rented the truck on December 30 from the Houston area before traveling to New Orleans.
At a news conference, FBI special agent Alethea Duncan indicated that the investigation suggests Jabbar likely did not act alone in carrying out the attack.
Duncan also highlighted that the FBI is considering a broad range of suspects and remains open to all possibilities at this stage of the investigation. Efforts are ongoing to establish his possible connections with terrorist groups.
A source close to the investigation informed the media that thus far, neither ISIS nor any other foreign terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for the incident.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described how the attacker maneuvered the vehicle around barriers and onto the sidewalk of Bourbon Street, attempting to hit as many people as possible.
“We had a car there, we had barriers there, we had officers there, and he still got around,” Kirkpatrick said.
After driving onto the sidewalk, the man exited the vehicle and began shooting at police officers, ultimately being killed in a shootout with three officers, according to the FBI.
The New Orleans Police Department confirmed the attacker was killed by police fire at the scene. Two officers were shot but are in stable condition.
Inside the truck, weapons and two potential improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found, with Duncan mentioning the possibility of another IED discovered in the French Quarter, which was safely detonated by law enforcement.
The presence of multiple IEDs leads investigators to believe that the attacker might have had an accomplice. Efforts are ongoing to determine if any accomplices were involved in placing these devices, as per CBS News sources.
Law enforcement has completed additional searches and found no further IEDs, as stated by Duncan. Kirkpatrick emphasized the importance of vigilance and reporting any suspicious items.
A long gun equipped with a suppressive device, functioning as a silencer, was also recovered from the scene.
Two sources indicated that the attacker was wearing body armor during the incident.
FBI, Homeland Security, and bomb squad investigators are currently examining an Airbnb in St. Roch, New Orleans, where the suspect had been staying. This location also experienced a fire on Wednesday, with investigations into the fire continuing.
Duncan has requested anyone with information about the suspect to contact the FBI. A U.S. official stated that the attacker had prior service in the U.S. military.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry described the event as “a horrific act of violence” and urged the public to stay clear of the area while expressing condolences and calling for prayers for the victims and first responders.
Dr. Dwight McKenna, the New Orleans Coroner, announced that autopsies are underway and it will take several days to complete them all. The identities of the victims will be disclosed following discussions with their families.
At the time of the attack, the area was bustling with tourists celebrating New Year’s Day.
A CBS News reporter, Kati Weis, reported seeing a white truck accelerating into the crowd on Bourbon Street, with the driver subsequently opening fire, and police returning shots. Multiple casualties were seen near Bourbon and Canal Streets.
The City of New Orleans reported that 30 people were taken to hospitals with injuries, and the death toll was confirmed at 10, later revised to at least 35 hospitalized.
Kirkpatrick emphasized the attacker’s intent to cause significant harm and damage.
Biden said in a statement he has directed his administration to “ensure every resource is available as federal, state, and local law enforcement work assiduously to get to the bottom of what happened as quickly as possible and to ensure that there is no remaining threat of any kind.”
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday,” Biden said. “There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”
President-elect Donald Trump also commented on the tragedy, stating, “Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department.”
