The FBI has announced that they are investigating the deadly incident in New Orleans as an 'act of terrorism.' The bureau released a statement confirming that an individual drove a car into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street, resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries. The perpetrator then engaged with local law enforcement before being deceased.
Initially, there was some confusion regarding the classification of the incident. An FBI agent had stated that it was 'not a terrorist event,' while the mayor referred to it as a 'terrorist attack.' This discrepancy in terminology is not uncommon in the early stages of investigations.
When determining whether an incident should be treated as terrorism, the FBI considers specific factors. These factors likely played a role in the evolving assessment of the situation by federal and local officials.
The FBI has taken the lead in the investigation and is collaborating with partner agencies to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. As more information becomes available, the authorities will continue to provide updates on their findings.