A devastating New Year’s attack in New Orleans has left at least 15 dead and dozens injured after a driver rammed his pickup truck into a crowd of revellers early on January 1. U.S. President Joe Biden, citing FBI findings, revealed that the attacker, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din J from Texas, was inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS) and had posted videos expressing a desire to kill. The incident, which occurred at 3:15 am in a popular tourist area, is being treated as an act of terrorism.
New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick described the assailant's actions as calculated carnage, stating that he “was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could.” The attacker engaged in a gunfight with law enforcement, injuring two officers before being fatally shot. Investigators also discovered potential explosive devices in and around the suspect’s vehicle, along with an ISIS flag, further corroborating his connection to the terrorist group.
President Biden emphasized that the attacker was a U.S. citizen who had served in the Army and the reserves. “The FBI has reported to me that the killer was an American citizen, born in Texas,” Biden said. Authorities are continuing to investigate whether the suspect acted alone, with early reports of accomplices being ruled out after reviewing surveillance footage.
FBI investigator Alethea Duncan initially suggested the driver might not have acted independently, but no clear evidence has confirmed the involvement of others. As the city grapples with the tragedy, officials are working tirelessly to uncover the full scope of the attack and its motivations.
