FBI probing car ramming in New Orleans, that killed 15, as terror attack

(JNS) A man killed 15 people and injured 35, including two New Orleans police officers who are in stable condition, when he drove a vehicle into a crowd on Canal Street and Bourbon Street—in one of the Louisiana city’s busiest tourist areas, particularly on New Year’s Eve—at about 3:15 a.m., the city stated.

“After the vehicle came to a stop, the suspect reportedly opened fire on responding officers, who returned fire,” the New Orleans Police Department stated. The alleged killer “was struck and subsequently declared deceased on scene,” it added.

Two Israelis were among the injured, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, which stated in Hebrew that it and the Consulate General of Israel in Houston were in touch with the families of the victims and the hospitals in which they were being treated.

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A representative of the consulate was en route to New Orleans at the direction of Gideon Sa’ar, the foreign minister, the Israeli government stated.

Crowds were “ballooning” in the city ahead of the college football Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame on Wednesday night, the Associated Press reported. (The game has been postponed a day.)

Multiple news outlets reported, citing law enforcement, that the alleged attacker was Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, a Texan who had served in the U.S. military. The sources also told multiple outlets that there was an ISIS flag on the rented pickup truck, which was used in the attack and had Texas plates.

Although an FBI agent had previously stated that the incident was not terror-related, the bureau subsequently stated that “we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.”

Alethea Duncan, an assistant FBI special agent in charge of the New Orleans field office, told reporters that “we do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible.” The Associated Press reported that “investigators recovered a handgun and AR-style rifle after the shootout.”

“If confirmed as IS-inspired, the attack would represent the deadliest such assault on U.S. soil in years, coming as FBI officials have repeatedly warned about an elevated international terrorism threat in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war,” the AP added.

The New York Post reported that “at least three improvised pipe bombs were found nearby in the city’s famed French Quarter, including one in Jabbar’s truck. Two were homemade with nails hidden in blue coolers, sources told The Post.”

It added that a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin “obtained by The Associated Press revealed that three men and a woman were seen stashing the devices across the historic district.”

LaToya Cantrell, the New Orleans mayor, told reporters that “we do know that the city of New Orleans was impacted by a terrorist attack.”

Asked about the attacker, U.S. President Joe Biden said, “again, I’m not going to comment until I speak to every member of the agencies,” per the White House pool report.

“I’m not going to say anything until I get all the facts,” the president added, noting that his reaction was “anger and frustration,” per the pool.

“My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday,” the president said in a statement. “There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities.”

President-elect Donald Trump stated that “our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department.”

“When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the fake news media, but it turned out to be true,” Trump added. “The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott stated that “I am treating this as a terrorist attack and will work closely with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas National Guard and law enforcement at every level to ensure we know exactly what happened, that the danger is contained, and that every detail is analyzed to make sure there is no other attack like this.”

Multiple members of Congress issued statements.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wrote that “the vicious attack on innocent people celebrating the New Year in New Orleans early this morning was an act of pure evil, and justice must be swift for anyone who was involved.”

“Please join us in praying for the victims, their families and the first responders and investigators on the scene,” he added.

“I am horrified by the news out of New Orleans, where New Year’s revelers were senselessly mowed down,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) stated. “Those who lost their loved ones deserve answers, and we must get to the bottom of how this terrorist attack unfolded and who was responsible for it.”

The Jewish Federations of North America stated that it is “horrified at the targeted terrorist attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans that killed at least 10 people and injured at least 35, including two Israeli nationals.”

“We mourn for the lost and pray for the full and speedy recovery of the injured. We are alarmed at reports that the driver was carrying an ISIS flag. This attack is a terrible reminder that rising extremist violence is not only a scourge for the Jewish community, but for all Americans,” the Federation stated. “We call on all government officials to increase alertness and anti-terror security measures.”

“All Jewish Federations will continue and deepen their commitment to community security and we will continue working with our partners and policymakers to ensure that we have access to appropriate security in the face of this threat,” it added.

Sacha Roytman, CEO of the Combat Antisemitism Movement, stated that the attack, “fueled by radical Islamist ideology, underscores the urgent need to eradicate such dangerous beliefs that breed hatred and violence.”

“Just a few weeks ago, Mayor Cantrell stood with unwavering courage at the CAM Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism declaring that hatred and extremism must be confronted with the strongest resolve,” Roytman stated. “Today, as she leads her city through this dark moment, she embodies true leadership. The entire world should rally behind her and stand in solidarity with New Orleans.”

“Together, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to combatting and eradicating the ideologies that fuel such atrocities,” he added. PJC