🌌The rampage, which unfolded just after 3 am, left the city shaken and raised urgent questions about security measures in the bustling French Quarter. The suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, was killed in a shootout with police after crashing his rented truck.
ﷺThe joy of new year celebrations soon turned into a tragedy in the United States' New Orleans on January 1 as a man in a horrifying attack near the iconic Bourbon Street drove a pickup truck into crowds of revellers early Wednesday, killing 15 and injuring dozens more.
The matter is being probed while the authorities are emphasising a potential tie between the dead suspect, a 42-year-old Army veteran from Texas, and the Islamic State terrorist group. According to the Associated Press🦂, the suspect, later identified as Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, was killed in a shootout with police after crashing his rented truck.
🍸The suspected terror attack in New Orleans took place within days since a similar attack in Germany's Magdeburg killed five people and injured two hundred others as a car rammed into a bustling Christmas market crowd. The arrested suspect was identified as a 50-year-old anti-Islam Saudi doctor who moved to Germany in 2006 named Tamara Zieschang.
♓According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) a stark black banner of the Islamic State extremist group has been recovered from the truck.
🦂Further adding substance to the ISIS terror link angle, US President Joe Biden said Wednesday evening that the FBI had told him that “mere hours before the attack, (Jabbar) posted videos on social media indicating that he was inspired” by the Islamic State.
꧒The investigation is closely looking into any possible link between Jabbar may have and the Middle East-based terror outfit or from any of at least 19 affiliated groups around the world.
🤪Federal agents are now trying to figure out Jabbar's motives and potential connections to international terrorist networks. As per AP, assistant special agent with the FBI Alethea Duncan, urged anyone with any information to contact authorities. “This investigation is moving swiftly, and we’re pursuing every lead,” she said.
ꦦPolice Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick confirmed that two officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire but are expected to recover.
🐼“We had precautions in place, but the terrorist found a way to exploit a gap,” Kirkpatrick said, referring to temporary changes in security measures due to ongoing repairs ahead of next month’s Super Bowl.
🎃The attack, described as one of the deadliest in recent city history, has also forced the postponement of the Sugar Bowl, which was scheduled for Wednesday at the Superdome. The game will now take place on Thursday, as officials work to reassure residents and visitors of their safety.