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A 42-year-old US man has been shot dead by police after driving a pick-up truck into a crowd in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, killing at least 15 people in what the FBI is investigating as an “act of terrorism”. Here’s what we know so far.
What happened in New Orleans on New Year’s Day?
At least 15 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a man drove his pick-up truck into a crowd at about 3.15am on New Year’s Day.
The attack occurred in New Orleans’ Bourbon Street area, in the city’s French Quarter, where many folks were celebrating the incoming new year.
After ploughing through the street, the man jumped out of the car and started firing a gun.
Following a tense shoot-out with local authorities, the suspect was shot and killed.
Two officers were shot but are stable.
Has the New Orleans driver been identified?
The FBI identified the man behind the truck as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a US citizen from Texas.
“He was driving a Ford pickup truck, which appears to have been rented, and we are working to confirm how the subject came into possession of the vehicle,” it said in a statement.
What was found in the vehicle?
Following further investigations after the incident, the FBI said it found improvised explosive devices (IED) in the truck.
“Other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter,” FBI special agent Alethea Duncan said, per ABC News.
“As of now, two IEDs have been found and rendered safe.”
Alongside the explosives, the FBI reported that it found an Islamic State group flag.
“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 shared in a statement.
Per US publication CBS News, neither ISIS nor any other foreign terror organisation has claimed responsibility for the attack.
US President Joe Biden & President-elect Donald Trump put out statements regarding the attacks
Following the incident, US President Joe Biden released a statement to X (formerly Twitter), offering his condolences to those who’ve been affected by the attack.
“The FBI is taking the lead in the investigation and is investigating this incident as an act of terrorism. I will continue to receive updates throughout the day, and I will have more to say as we have further information to share,” he penned.
“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.”
I have been continually briefed since early this morning regarding the horrific incident that occurred in New Orleans overnight.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 1, 2025
The FBI is taking the lead in the investigation and is investigating this incident as an act of terrorism. I will continue to receive updates…
Incoming US president Donald Trump also issued a statement regarding the tragic event through his social media platform, Truth Social.
“Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department,” Trump said.
“The Trump Administration will fully support the City of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil!”
FBI to investigate New Orleans New Year’s Day incident an “act of terrorism”
The FBI has shared that they’re treating the tragic incident as an “act of terrorism”.
“The FBI is the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism. We are aggressively running down all leads to identify any possible associates of the subject,” it said in a statement.
When the incident happened, multiple news outlets reported that 10 people had been killed. Per CNN, the death toll has risen to 15.
image source: AP Newsroom
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