FBI investigating deadly New Orleans truck attack as 'act of terrorism'
By VOA News January 01, 2025
A driver crashed a pickup truck into a crowd celebrating New Year's early Wednesday in New Orleans and opened fire, killing 15 people and injuring more than 35 others. The FBI said it was investigating the attack as an act of terrorism and did not believe the driver acted alone.
The bureau is looking at a "range of suspects," Alethea Duncan, an assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's New Orleans field office, said at a news conference.
Investigators found multiple explosive devices in the French Quarter, The Associated Press reported, citing a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin. Among the devices were two pipe bombs hidden inside coolers and wired to detonate remotely, the bulletin said.
"This is not just an act of terrorism. This is evil," New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said.
The attack occurred at 3:15 a.m. in New Orleans' lively French Quarter district at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon streets. The historic tourist destination filled with bars and music is also known for its large New Year's Eve celebrations.
After the vehicle crashed, the driver got out of the car and opened fire on responding officers, police said. Officers returned fire, killing the suspect, according to police. Two officers were wounded but were in stable condition, police said.
The FBI identified the suspect as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a U.S. citizen from Texas.
"An ISIS flag was located in the vehicle, and the FBI is working to determine the subject's potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations," the FBI, which was leading the investigation, said in a statement.
The suspect served in the U.S. Army for years but had been out of the military for some time, officials said.
Investigators found weapons and a potential explosive device in the vehicle, the FBI said, along with the other potential explosive devices found in the French Quarter. It also said the vehicle appeared to have been rented.
More than 300 officers were on duty at the time of the incident, police said.
U.S. President Joe Biden said he was being continually briefed on the attack. He was also being briefed on a truck fire near the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas and directed his team to offer any federal assistance needed, according to the White House.
"My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday. There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation's communities," Biden said in a statement on the social media platform X.
The White House said it had been in touch with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to offer support.
"The FBI is already on the ground supporting local law enforcement in the investigation and the president will continue to be briefed throughout the day," the White House said in a statement.
The Justice Department said Attorney General Merrick Garland was also briefed on the attack.
President-elect Donald Trump condemned the attack in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.
"Our hearts are with all the innocent victims and their loved ones," Trump said. "The Trump Administration will fully support the City of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil!"
Video taken by an onlooker at the scene of the attack showed at least two twisted bodies lying in the street, with one of them in what appeared to be a pool of blood. A bystander was seen kneeling over one of the bodies.
Those injured in the attack were taken to five hospitals, according to NOLA Ready, the city's emergency preparedness department.
"As we search for a motive, remember there is no making sense of evil," New Orleans City Councilmember Oliver Thomas said.
In a statement on X, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry urged people to stay away from the site of the attack, calling the incident "a horrific act of violence."
Crowds were also out partying in New Orleans because the city was set to host college football's Sugar Bowl game Wednesday night. Officials later confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the game would be postponed until Thursday night.
Additionally, New Orleans is set to host the NFL's Super Bowl on February 9.
New Orleans has experienced violence surrounding celebrations in the past.
In November 2024, two people were killed and 10 others injured in two separate shootings along a New Orleans parade route and a celebration attended by thousands of people, according to local media.
And in February 2017, more than 20 people were wounded when a man who police said appeared to be intoxicated rammed a pickup truck into a crowd of onlookers watching the main Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans.
Some information for this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press.
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