The man suspected of driving into a crowd in New Orleans today, killing ten and injuring at least 36 people, has been identified as U.S. citizen Shamsud-Din Jabbar (42), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced. According to the FBI, a flag of the Islamic State was found in the vehicle used in the attack.
The FBI stated that it is continuing its investigation into Jabbar, a Texas resident, to determine any potential links to terrorist organizations. The agency also confirmed that an ISIS flag was discovered inside the vehicle involved in the attack, reported AP.
Jabbar was killed in a confrontation with police around 3:15 a.m. local time in a section of New Orleans where multiple New Year’s celebrations were taking place, the FBI confirmed.
Attack Details
After the vehicle came to a stop, the driver exited the vehicle and opened fire on police officers, who returned fire, according to New Orleans police. Authorities also searched the French Quarter for potential explosive devices, as reported by a law enforcement official to AP.
FBI spokesperson Aletea Duncan confirmed that investigators were looking into at least one improvised explosive device (IED) believed to have been found at the scene.
New Orleans Police Chief Ann Kirkpatrick stated that the attacker “deliberately” bypassed barricades and drove down Bourbon Street before opening fire on officers. “This man was trying to run over as many people as he could,” Kirkpatrick said, adding that two officers were injured in the shooting but are in stable condition.
According to police sources confirmed by CBS, a long gun with a suppressor was found at the scene, and two sources familiar with the investigation indicated that the suspect was wearing body armor.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said that the attack is likely being investigated as a “terrorist attack.”
