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Published on January 14, 2025
FBI & DHS Warn of Potential "Copycat Attacks" Amid Carnival & Super Bowl Frenzy in New OrleansSource: Federal Bureau of Investigation

In a heightened state of vigilance following a deadly attack in New Orleans, federal agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, have issued a warning about the increased threat of 'copycat attacks,' particularly with the Carnival season and the upcoming Super Bowl providing opportune targets for such acts of violence, according to a bulletin shared by FOX 10 Phoenix. The bulletin, titled 'Threat of Copycat Attacks after ISIS-Inspired Vehicle Attack in New Orleans,' alerts the public to the potential for extremists to use vehicles in assaults on crowded public venues, drawing a connection from the cruelty in New Orleans to a broader societal fear.

New surveillance photos released by the FBI of the attacker, 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, were recently made public; the individual shots were dated November 10, 2024, and were taken as Jabbar was sighted in New Orleans with a backpack. As reported by Click2Houston, it was an effort to keep the populace attentive and the numerous eyes necessary to protect our mutual well-being. The authorities have not specified if the latest warnings are due to a direct, unspecified threat but have emphasized that the "persistent appeal of vehicle ramming as a tactic for aspiring violent extremist attackers" necessitates public vigilance.

This advisory comes on the heels of the tragic New Year’s Day incident where Jabbar, a former U.S. Army soldier, drove a truck down Bourbon Street, killing 14 and injuring more than 30 before being killed himself in a shootout with police. After declaring support for the Islamic State in videos posted online, he carried out what was a pointed and deadly demonstration against humanity. The FBI has also issued a call for the public to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement or by calling 911 to report emergencies or imminent threats.

As a response to the incident, enhanced security measures have been put into place in New Orleans' French Quarter, particularly with the influx of crowds expected for the Super Bowl on February 9, as stated by FOX 10 Phoenix. Barricades and police vehicles have become temporary fixtures at key intersections like Bourbon and Canal streets, a direct reflection of our time marked by fear and the necessary precautions that now dotted the landscape where pulsing life resided moments before, prior to such wanton acts of destruction. Authorities continue their investigation into Jabbar's motives and the methodology behind his attack, pledging cooperation with first responders, faith leaders, and communities to mitigate potential risks.