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A U.S. citizen with an Islamic State flag and "hellbent" on carnage steered a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year revelers in New Orleans on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens, officials said.
The FBI has identified the perpetrator of the tragic New Orleans attack as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas. Jabbar, an Army veteran who served from 2007 to 2020, held roles as a human resource specialist and IT specialist, including a deployment to Afghanistan. After leaving the military, he reportedly worked as a real estate agent in Houston. Authorities revealed that an ISIS flag was discovered in his vehicle, leading the FBI to investigate his potential connections to terrorist organizations. Officials believe Jabbar did not act alone and have launched a manhunt for possible accomplices.
The horrifying incident unfolded in the early hours of New Year’s Day in New Orleans’ iconic French Quarter, known for its vibrant nightlife and historic charm. Jabbar drove a white Ford F-150 electric pickup truck at high speed into a crowd of revelers, intentionally targeting as many people as possible. The attack left 15 dead, including Jabbar, and numerous others injured. After the vehicle stopped, Jabbar exited and exchanged gunfire with police officers, two of whom were wounded but are expected to recover. Authorities later discovered and safely neutralized two homemade bombs in his vehicle.
The attack caused chaos in the bustling French Quarter, as witnesses described scenes of terror, with bodies and blood scattered across the area. Police, who were already out in full force due to the holiday celebrations, responded swiftly. Despite their efforts, the carnage shook the city, which is a popular tourist destination and host to major upcoming events like the Super Bowl and the Sugar Bowl. These events are now under heightened security concerns.
Acting Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick labeled Jabbar a "terrorist," stating that his actions were deliberate and meant to cause maximum destruction. U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the attack, affirming that such violence would not be tolerated, while incoming President Donald Trump controversially linked the incident to illegal immigration, despite Jabbar being a U.S. citizen. As investigations continue, authorities are working to understand the full scope of the attack, Jabbar’s motivations, and whether additional threats remain.
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