New Orleans car attack investigated as 'terrorism' as perpetrator linked to IS
The Bourbon Street car attack in New Orleans on Wednesday is being investigated as an "act of terrorism," authorities said, after it was revealed that the perpetrator was a US army veteran with possible links to the so-called Islamic State group.
Earlier on Wednesday, the assailant, who’s been identified by the FBI as a 42-year-old US citizen from Texas, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove through a crowd in New Orleans in a white Ford pickup truck.
According to the federal law enforcement agency, Jabbar exited the vehicle after hitting the crowd and opened fire on local police. After a brief gunfight, the attacker was neutralised.
Jabbar also injured two police officers who sustained gunshot wounds, but Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick says they’re in stable condition.
“He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” said Kirkpatrick, adding that his behaviour was intentional.
The FBI says they are working with partners at the local, state and federal levels to “run down all leads and identify any possible associates of the subject.”
US President Joe Biden says the attack appears to have been inspired by the IS terror group.
“Mere hours before the attack, he posted videos on social media indicating that it is inspired by IS, expressing a desire to kill, desire to kill. The IS flag was found in his vehicle, which he rented to conduct this attack,” said Biden in a press briefing regarding the attack.
The outgoing US president added that Jabbar served for many years in the US Army on active duty, and was in the Army reserves until a few years ago.
Biden added that the situation is very fluid and indicated that investigations are still at a preliminary stage. The US president urged members of the public and press not to jump to conclusions and to await updates from official US agencies or local authorities.
Possible explosives remain on site
Investigators were combing the French Quarter in the area for potential explosive devices after weapons and what appear to be explosives were located in Jabbar’s vehicle.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill later confirmed that the areas near the attack were deemed safe.
"They've (local and federal law enforcement officers) done an enormous sweep of this whole area. They've done a grid search. So, I think they are very confident that this area is safe,” said Murrill.
She also added that additional safety precautions have been taken to ensure the public’s safety, noting that increased police presence and patrol will remain until at least the end of Mardi Gras on 4 March.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning along Bourbon Street in New Orleans, a world-famous destination for New Year's Eve parties.
The area was particularly busy as crowds gathered to watch the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game later in the day at the nearby Superdome.
The identity of the victims will be released in the days to come after completing all the autopsies, the New Orleans coroner said.
