The city of New Orleans was struck by a vehicular and gun attack on Bourbon Street early New Year's Day, resulting in at least 15 deaths and multiple injuries. The suspected attacker, identified as 42-year-old U.S. citizen Shamsud-Din Jabbar from Texas, was seen with an ISIS flag on his vehicle, driving deliberately into the crowd before being killed by police after a shootout, during which two officers were injured but are now in stable condition, CBS News reported.
Authorities discovered weapons and potential improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the rented electric Ford pickup truck and in the French Quarter, indicating the possibility of an accomplice; the FBI continues to investigate a range of suspects and potential terrorist affiliations of Jabbar. New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described the suspect's actions as "trying to run over as many people as he could," who nevertheless managed to circumvent barriers and an increased police presence during holiday celebrations, according to a CBS News interview.
The FBI, now leading the investigation with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other federal agencies, has conducted further sweeps that have not revealed more IEDs, and officials urge anyone who notices suspicious behavior or items to come forward. President Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have both issued statements of condolence and condemnation, with Biden assuring that all federal resources are available to the investigation; the Sugar Bowl, originally scheduled for the same day, was postponed to ensure security measures in nearby areas could be reinforced, "We live in the fun and games world, with what we do, but we certainly recognize the importance of this and we're going to support it 100%," Jeff Hundley, the CEO of the Sugar Bowl, emphasized during a press conference reported by CBS News.
In response to this attack and the increase in motor vehicle incidents as weapons of convenience, former West Palm Beach Deputy Police Chief Rick Morris spoke about the concern law enforcement must harbor toward every event now, "You’ve got to be concerned with every event right now, because all it takes one person with mental illness to react," Morris said, recognizing the heightened threat at outdoor events in communities like Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, as WPTV News disclosed.
