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The FBI is investigating an “act of terrorism” after a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd of people in downtown New Orleans early Wednesday morning, killing at least 15 people and injuring 35 others.
President Joe Biden said Wednesday night that authorities were also investigating whether the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck in front of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas was connected to the New Orleans attack.
The FBI has identified the suspect in the New Orleans attack as Shamsud Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old American citizen from Texas. The FBI said it does not believe he was solely responsible for the attack and that the investigation is “ongoing.”
The agency, which is leading the investigation, said the vehicle displayed an ISIS flag and that it was “working to determine any potential connections or links between the subject and the terrorist organization.” said.
Jabbar served as a human resources specialist and information technology specialist from 2007 to 2020, according to the Army. His service included a deployment to Afghanistan from February 2009 to January 2010.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said authorities were focused on “hunting down some bad people” and keeping the city safe. The New Orleans coroner confirmed Wednesday night that the death toll had increased to at least 15.
Biden said that before the New Orleans attack, Jabbar had posted a video on social media that he said was inspired by ISIS.
The president said authorities were also investigating the Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas early Wednesday to see if it was related to the New Orleans attack.
“I have nothing to report on that score,” Biden said, speaking from Camp David. However, Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote to X that the explosion was “likely an act of terrorism.”
Musk also said that the Cybertruck and F-150 pickup truck used in the New Orleans attack were leased from the same rental car company. “Maybe they’re connected somehow.”
The attack in Louisiana’s largest city occurred early on New Year’s Day along Bourbon Street, one of the main thoroughfares in the historic French Quarter, which is lined with bars, restaurants and music venues and attracts domestic and international tourists.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Ann Kirkpatrick said a man drove a pickup truck down Bourbon Street at a “very high pace” around 3:15 a.m. local time. The FBI said the truck was rented.
“It was a very deliberate act. This guy was trying to run over as many people as possible,” Kirkpatrick added. “He was fully committed to creating the carnage and the damage it caused.”
The FBI also said that “there were weapons and possible improvised explosive devices in the subject’s vehicle.” Officials said other explosives were also found elsewhere in the French Quarter.
The agency added that bomb technicians are “working with our law enforcement partners to determine whether these devices are viable and will work to make them safe.”
Two police officers were shot by the driver and are in stable condition, Kirkpatrick said. The FBI announced that the attacker was killed.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said her city was affected by a “terrorist attack” but did not provide further details.
“What I’m asking for right now is prayers for those who lost their lives in the city of New Orleans in this tragedy,” she said.
“All resources are available to us as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies work diligently to determine what happened as quickly as possible and to ensure that no threat of any kind remains,” Biden told authorities. He said he instructed them to do so.
President-elect Donald Trump described the incident on his Truth social media platform as an “act of pure evil” and said the incoming administration will fully support the city of New Orleans in its investigation and recovery efforts. Ta.
New Orleans is often crowded with tourists during the holidays, but this year’s New Year’s Eve was especially busy due to the Sugar Bowl football game scheduled for Wednesday between the University of Georgia and the University of Notre Dame.
Authorities announced that sporting events would be postponed for a day and urged people to avoid the area where the attack occurred.
