A new year's night tragedy befell New Orleans on Wednesday as a man drove a pickup truck into crowds of revellers, killing 15 and injuring dozens more in a horrifying attack near the iconic Bourbon Street.
The authorities now investigate potential links between the suspect, a 42-year-old Army veteran from Texas, and the terrorist group.
The rampage, which took place shortly after 3 a.m., shook the city and sent urgent questions regarding security measures in the lively French Quarter. A suspect identified as Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar was shot to death in an exchange with police after his rented truck crashed.
The investigators discovered an ISIS flag, weapons, and possibly an explosive device in the vehicle that heightened the terror plot worries of a coordinated nature.
Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said two officers were wounded in the shooting but will be okay.
"We had precautions in place, but the terrorist found a way to exploit a gap," Kirkpatrick said, referring to temporary changes in security measures due to ongoing repairs ahead of next month's Super Bowl.
The attack, described as one of the deadliest in recent city history, has also forced the postponement of the Sugar Bowl, scheduled for Wednesday at the Superdome. However, that, too, has been rescheduled to Thursday, this time so that officials can reassure residents and visitors that they are safe.
Federal agents are now racing to piece together Jabbar’s motives and potential connections to international terrorist networks. Alethea Duncan, assistant special agent with the FBI, urged anyone with information to contact authorities. “This investigation is moving swiftly, and we’re pursuing every lead,” she said.
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