An ongoing investigation is probing a New Year’s Eve ram-raid in New Orleans that resulted in 15 fatalities and numerous injuries. The FBI is examining the suspect’s motivations and potential accomplices, as security measures in the French Quarter failed to prevent the attack. Links to a subsequent explosion in Las Vegas, involving rented vehicles, are also being investigated. Authorities are scrutinizing connections to terrorist organizations, particularly regarding the suspect’s displayed Islamic State flag.
Ongoing Investigation Raises Key Questions
The investigation into the devastating ram-raid attack that took place on New Year’s Eve in a bustling area of New Orleans is still in full swing, leaving many questions unanswered. The FBI is delving into the details to uncover how this shocking incident could have transpired. While the suspect, who was shot by police during the attack, has been identified, his motivations and any potential collaborators remain elusive. Here are some critical questions that linger two days after the incident.
Security Concerns in the French Quarter
The attack unfolded in the historic Vieux Carré, famously known as the French Quarter, which was packed with revelers celebrating the New Year. Particularly on Bourbon Street, a vibrant pedestrian thoroughfare lined with bars and clubs, the suspect drove his pickup truck, resulting in tragic consequences that left at least 15 dead and injured around thirty others. This grim outcome has sparked urgent inquiries into the security measures in place at such a prominent location.
During a press conference, officials disclosed that security barriers meant to restrict vehicle access to the street had been removed for replacement as part of preparations for the upcoming Super Bowl. In the interim, police vehicles were stationed at the entrance, and additional barriers and officers were deployed to manage traffic. “We had a car, barriers, and officers, and they were able to get through,” acknowledged Anne Kirkpatrick, the police superintendent of New Orleans. She emphasized that while a plan existed, the attackers managed to circumvent it. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has confirmed that an investigation is underway to evaluate any security lapses that may have occurred.
Possible Links to Other Incidents
In a troubling twist, just hours after the New Orleans attack, another incident occurred in Las Vegas, where a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside a Trump hotel on the iconic Las Vegas Boulevard, resulting in one casualty. Investigators noted that both vehicles involved in these incidents were rented through the rideshare platform Turo. Las Vegas Sheriff indicated that this might be a “coincidence” worth further examination, while a spokesperson for Turo confirmed cooperation with law enforcement in their inquiries. President Joe Biden also mentioned that authorities are looking into any potential connections between the two incidents.
Moreover, two homemade explosive devices were discovered and neutralized by police near the site of the New Orleans attack, hinting at a possible connection. The explosion in Las Vegas was attributed to gas cans and large firework mortars found in the vehicle, as clarified by Sheriff Kevin McMahill. In contrast to the New Orleans incident, no links to the Islamic State were identified at the explosion scene, with FBI agent Jeremy Schwartz stating, “We believe this is an isolated event.”
As the investigation unfolds, the FBI is exploring the possibility that Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the individual behind the New Orleans attack, may not have acted independently. “We are vigorously pursuing all leads to identify potential accomplices,” stated Alethea Duncan, an FBI agent. Jabbar, a 42-year-old American citizen, is believed to have had connections to others. Initially, three men and a woman captured on surveillance in the French Quarter were considered suspects, but later reports confirmed they were not involved with the improvised explosives. Investigators are diligently working to ascertain Jabbar’s affiliations with any terrorist organizations, especially since he displayed an Islamic State flag on the truck used in the attack. Ongoing searches and raids are being conducted across New Orleans and beyond, including in Houston, Texas, where Jabbar resided and was reportedly engaged in related activities.