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A 42-year-old Texas man drove a pickup truck into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day in New Orleans’ French Quarter and then opened fire on police, killing 10 people and injuring 35 others in what the FBI said was a possible attack. An early morning attack was an act of terrorism.
The FBI identified the suspect as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, who died at the scene during a shootout with police, officials said.
“An Islamic State flag was inside the vehicle and the FBI is working to determine the suspect’s potential ties and affiliations with the terrorist organization,” the FBI, the lead investigator, said in a statement.
Investigators found weapons and potentially explosive devices in the vehicle and other potential explosive devices in the French Quarter, the FBI said. The car reportedly appeared to be a rental.
One city leader said the attackers were dressed in full military gear.
U.S. Rep. Troy Carter told ABC News the death toll may have risen to 15, but law enforcement officials did not immediately confirm that detail.
“This man was trying to run over as many people as possible,” Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said at a televised news conference on Wednesday. “He was hell-bent on causing the carnage and the destruction that he caused.”
The incident occurred at 3:15 am (0915 GMT) near the intersection. Canal Street and Bourbon Streetis a historic tourist destination in the city’s French Quarter, known for its music and bars that draw large crowds.
Kirkpatrick said the driver swerved into a roadblock after the crash, shooting and injuring the two officers in the car. She added that the officers were in stable condition.
“We know the killer has been killed,” said New Orleans City Councilman Oliver Thomas. “As we search for a motive, remember that evil cannot be understood.”
Police said more than 300 police officers were on duty at the time of the incident.
The city hosts the classic American college football game “Sugar Bowl” every New Year’s Day and will host the NFL Super Bowl on February 9.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the incident a terrorist attack.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said: “The situation is fluid and we are coordinating with numerous local and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure a comprehensive and thorough investigation and to bring those who may have been involved in this incident to justice.” By law.
‘horrible behavior’
Verified video taken by a bystander showed at least two twisted bodies in the street, one of which appeared to be lying in a pool of blood. A bystander knelt on one of the bodies as a group of military personnel wearing green uniforms and carrying guns ran past.
The injured were taken to at least five hospitals, according to NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness agency.
One couple told CBS News they heard a crash in the street and then saw a white truck drive through a barricade “at a high rate of speed.”
Zion Parsons, 18, told NOLA.com that he and two friends were leaving a restaurant on Bourbon Street when they heard a commotion and saw a white car heading toward They’re coming.
He said he dodged the car but one of his friends was hit and her legs were “twisted over and around her back.”
“You could see bodies, just human bodies, just bleeding, broken bones,” he said.
Louisiana U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy said on CNN that despite the attack, New Orleans law enforcement was ready for Wednesday night’s Sugar Bowl event. “The Superdome is on lockdown,” he said.
In response to vehicular attacks on pedestrian malls around the world, New Orleans is removing and replacing steel guardrails (bollards) that restrict vehicle access in the Bourbon Street pedestrian area. The status of the project was unclear at the time of Wednesday’s attack.
Construction begins in November 2024 and is scheduled to last until February 2025, according to the city government’s website.
Last month in Germany, a 50-year-old man was charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder after police said he Christmas market in Magdeburg, Five people were killed and dozens injured.
President Joe Biden called the city’s mayor to offer full federal support. President-elect Donald Trump says his incoming administration will help New Orleans investigate and recover from what he calls an act of pure evil.
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