NEW ORLEANS: The FBI has identified the individual responsible for a deadly attack on New Year's revelers in New Orleans as an American citizen from Texas and is labeling the incident as an act of terrorism. In a press release, the agency disclosed that the suspect, 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a Ford pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and numerous injuries.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the FBI reported that Jabbar, after crashing into the crowd at approximately 3:15 a.m. CST, engaged in a gunfight with local law enforcement officers. Jabbar was pronounced dead at the scene, while two officers sustained injuries and were hospitalized. The rented vehicle used in the attack contained an ISIS flag, prompting the FBI to investigate potential connections to terrorist organizations.
Weapons and a possible improvised explosive device (IED) were found in Jabbar's vehicle, and additional potential IEDs were located in the French Quarter. The FBI's bomb technicians are collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to assess and neutralize any viable threats posed by these devices.
New Orleans Police had earlier confirmed the casualties and injuries resulting from the attack. Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described Jabbar's actions as "very intentional," stating that he aimed to harm as many people as possible.
In response to the tragic event, President Joe Biden expressed his condolences to the victims' families and denounced the violence. "There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on our nation's communities," he stated, affirming his commitment to staying informed about the situation through his national security advisors.