New Orleans Attack: Army Veteran Inspired by Islamic State Kills 15
NEW ORLEANS — The president stated that a U.S. Army veteran, who drove his pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s Eve revelers in New Orleans, resulting in 15 fatalities, had shared videos on social media hours before the incident, declaring his inspiration from the Islamic State group and expressing a desire to kill.
The FBI has launched an investigation into this early Wednesday attack, classifying it as a terrorist act. The driver maneuvered around a police blockade before striking the crowd and was subsequently shot and killed by law enforcement. Authorities do not believe he acted alone.
During the investigation, authorities discovered firearms and what appeared to be an improvised explosive device (IED) inside the vehicle, which displayed the Islamic State group’s flag. Further explosive devices were located elsewhere in the French Quarter.
President Joe Biden confirmed on Wednesday evening that the FBI had located the social media videos. He described the attack as a “despicable” and “heinous act.”
The attack transformed the celebratory atmosphere of Bourbon Street into a horrific scene of injured and deceased individuals, with pedestrians seeking refuge in nearby establishments. In addition to the fatalities, numerous injuries were reported, leading to the postponement of a college football playoff game at the Superdome until Thursday.
Eighteen-year-old Zion Parsons of Gulfport, Mississippi, recounted witnessing the truck “barreling through,” sending people airborne.
Parsons, whose friend Nikyra Dedeaux was among the victims, described the scene as bodies strewn across the street amidst screams and shouts.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick characterized the incident as an act of pure evil, not simply terrorism.
This attack represents the latest instance of a vehicle being weaponized for mass violence and stands as the deadliest IS-inspired assault on U.S. soil in years.
Kirkpatrick noted that the driver circumvented pedestrian safety measures and demonstrated a determined intent to inflict significant harm.
The FBI identified the driver as 42-year-old U.S. citizen Shamsud-Din Jabbar from Texas and is currently investigating potential ties to terrorist organizations.
FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alethea Duncan stated at a press conference that they believe Jabbar did not act alone.
Investigators uncovered multiple IEDs, including two pipe bombs concealed in coolers and rigged for remote detonation, according to a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin obtained by The Associated Press.
The bulletin, based on preliminary post-attack information, mentioned surveillance footage showing three men and a woman placing one of the devices. However, federal officials haven’t confirmed this detail, and the individuals’ identities and connection to the attack remain unclear.
Authorities stated that Jabbar drove a rented pickup truck onto the sidewalk, bypassing a police vehicle positioned to block vehicle traffic. A barrier system designed to prevent vehicle attacks was under repair in preparation for the upcoming Super Bowl.
Kirkpatrick reported that Jabbar was fatally shot by police after exiting the truck and firing upon responding officers. Three officers returned fire, with two sustaining stable injuries.
According to an anonymous law enforcement official not authorized to speak publicly, investigators recovered a handgun and an AR-style rifle.
Deadly explosions also occurred in Honolulu and outside a Las Vegas hotel owned by President-elect Donald Trump. President Joe Biden stated that the FBI is investigating a possible connection between the Las Vegas explosion and the New Orleans attack but had no updates as of Wednesday evening.
A photograph circulated among law enforcement officials depicted a bearded Jabbar in camouflage attire next to the truck after his death. The AP’s intelligence bulletin indicated he wore a ballistic vest and helmet. The FBI confirmed that the Islamic State group’s flag was displayed on the truck’s trailer hitch.
U.S. Senator John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, commented that the incident should serve as a stark reminder of objective evil to those who doubt its existence.
Jabbar served in the Army from 2007, holding roles in human resources and information technology and deploying to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010. He transitioned to the Army Reserve in 2015 and left in 2020 with the rank of staff sergeant.
Following the attack, several coroner’s office vans were present at the corner of Bourbon and Canal streets, surrounded by police tape and onlookers.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry advised people to avoid the area, which remained an active crime scene.
Tessa Cundiff, an Indiana resident who relocated to the French Quarter several years ago, described the aftermath as eerily quiet and disturbingly different from the city they had come to love.
In contrast, life continued relatively normally in some parts of the city. At a cafe near the incident site, people gathered for breakfast, and nearby, individuals were seen at a bar, seemingly unaffected by the events.
Biden, speaking from Camp David, expressed condolences to the victims and the people of New Orleans, stating that the nation grieves alongside them.
In an earlier statement, Biden expressed his sympathies to the victims and their families and emphasized the lack of justification for violence, stating that such attacks will not be tolerated.
FBI officials have repeatedly warned about an elevated international terrorism threat linked to the Israel-Hamas war. The agency has disrupted other potential attacks this past year, including the October arrest of an Afghan man in Oklahoma for an alleged Election Day plot targeting large crowds.