15 killed as US army veteran runs over revellers in New Orleans
Houston, Jan 3: A man in a pickup truck deliberately drove into revellers in New Orleans’ French Quarter early on New Year’s Day, killing 15 people and injuring dozens in what authorities are investigating as a terrorist attack.
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsuddin Bahar Jabbar, was killed in a shootout with police after exiting the vehicle armed with an assault rifle. Two officers were injured in the exchange but are in stable condition.
The attack took place around 3.15 am at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon streets. Authorities report that the suspect bypassed barricades, fired into the crowd, and then drove into people.
According to NOLA.com, Jabbar’s name matches a man in Texas, where the rental truck was secured. Investigators believe Jabbar has ties to the Houston area, a connection they are currently exploring.
A black flag was displayed on the truck Jabbar allegedly drove into the crowd. Law enforcement sources are investigating whether the flag is associated with ISIS or another foreign terror organisation.
President Joe Biden condemned the attack and extended condolences to the victims’ families, stating, “There is no justification for violence of any kind.” He pledged federal support in the investigation and recovery efforts.
The tragic incident is part of a growing trend of vehicular attacks, drawing parallels to recent events in Germany and New York.
The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism and said it does not believe the suspect acted alone. The agency said the driver, a US citizen from Texas, was killed in a shootout with police.
Investigators found guns and what appeared to be an improvised explosive device in the vehicle — which bore the flag of the Islamic State group — along with other explosive devices elsewhere in the French Quarter.
Wednesday’s attack unfolded on Bourbon Street, known worldwide as one of the largest destinations for New Year’s Eve parties.
Authorities also found potential explosive devices in the French Quarter, the FBI said. Surveillance footage showed three men and a woman placing one of multiple improvised explosive devices, according to a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin obtained by The Associated Press.
The FBI said the driver was 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, an Army veteran from Texas.
President Joe Biden said the FBI told him that Jabbar posted videos on social media just hours before the attack indicating that he was inspired by the Islamic State group.
An IS flag was found on the vehicle’s trailer hitch, the FBI said. The bureau is trying to determine if Jabbar was associated with any terrorist organisations.
Who’s killer Jabbar?
Jabbar enlisted in the Army in 2007, working in both human resources and information technology. He deployed to Afghanistan in February 2009 for nearly a year, and later transferred into the US Army Reserve, the service said in a statement. Jabbar left the military in 2020 with the rank of staff sergeant.
Court records show Jabbar faced a deteriorating financial situation in 2022 while separating from his then-wife. Jabbar said he was behind on house payments and had accumulated credit card debt and wanted to quickly finalise the divorce.
At the time, court documents show he made about USD 10,000 a month doing business development and other work for the consulting firm Deloitte. In a statement, Deloitte said Jabbar had “served in a staff-level role” since being hired in 2021 and that the company was doing all it could to assist authorities.
Killer car
Wednesday’s attack in New Orleans is the latest example of a vehicle being used as a weapon to carry out mass violence. The trend has alarmed law enforcement officials because such attacks can be difficult to protect against.
Last month, a 50-year-old Saudi doctor plowed into a Christmas market teeming with holiday shoppers in the German city of Magdeburg, killing four women and a 9-year-old boy. (PTI)
