This is what to know concerning the assault in New Orleans : NPR

A truck plowed right into a crowd on New Orleans’ famed Bourbon Road within the early hours of New Yr’s Day, leaving at the very least 15 individuals lifeless and dozens extra hospitalized with accidents.

The motive force was recognized as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Military veteran from Houston, Texas, in keeping with the FBI. He was killed in a gunfire change with police following the assault, which is being investigated as terrorism, company officers stated.

An Islamic State flag was visibly connected to the pickup truck and improvised explosive gadgets have been discovered inside, the FBI stated, however company officers have but to point a motive. The FBI stated its probably the driving force didn’t act alone, and it is looking for info that would result in extra suspects who might have aided within the assault.

Weapons and what seemed to be an improvised explosive machine was discovered contained in the truck, in keeping with the federal company. Investigators discovered and neutralized different IEDs within the French Quarter. Authorities stated they swept the French Quarter, elements of the Central Enterprise District and the Caesars Superdome — the place the now-delayed Sugar Bowl will probably be held — on the lookout for extra improvised explosive gadgets.

Nightly, crowds pack Bourbon Road, a 13-block stretch within the metropolis’s French Quarter, the place patrons of the road’s bars, eating places and music venues typically spill into the street, which is often blocked to automobiles. The variety of guests to New Orleans this week swelled as revelers flocked to the favored vacation spot for New Yr’s Eve celebrations, and forward of the Sugar Bowl.

This is what else we all know to this point concerning the assault.

It was an ‘intentional’ assault on certainly one of New Orleans’ busiest nights, officers say

Round 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday, the suspect veered round a police automobile blocking the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Road, dashing onto the sidewalk earlier than steering again onto Bourbon, in keeping with police.

The motive force continued for nearly three blocks down Bourbon Road, crossing Iberville Road and Bienville Road, after which crashing simply earlier than Conti Road. After crashing, the driving force exited the pickup and fired at law enforcement officials, injuring two. The injured officers are in steady situation, police stated in a Wednesday morning information briefing.

The handfuls of others who have been injured have been taken to close by hospitals, with some in vital situation.

The suspect drove down Bourbon Road at “a really quick tempo” and tried to “run over as many individuals as he probably might,” New Orleans police chief Anne Kirkpatrick stated at a Wednesday morning information convention. “This was intentional,” she stated.

Entry to Bourbon Road is often blocked off to automobile site visitors by metallic bollards — pole-like barricades. However the bollards have been down for upkeep on the time of the assault, with their restore “close to completion,” stated Mayor LaToya Cantrell. The police automotive that the suspect bypassed was serving as a makeshift roadblock for autos making an attempt to enter the French Quarter’s busiest road.

Briefly remarks from Camp David on Wednesday night, President Biden referred to as it a heinous assault.

“To all of the individuals in New Orleans who’re grieving, I grieve with you,” Biden stated. “Our nation grieves with you.”

Legislation enforcement officers are additionally wanting into whether or not the incident is related to a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded early Wednesday exterior of President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas resort, President Biden stated. One particular person died and 7 others have been injured within the explosion.

Police say the suspect probably had assist

Alethea Duncan, the FBI assistant particular agent in command of the investigation, stated they didn’t imagine the suspect was “solely accountable.” She referred to as on the general public who might have had interactions with the suspect within the final 72 hours to return ahead.

Jabbar rented the white Ford truck on Dec. 30 and was seen driving it in Houston earlier than heading to New Orleans, stated Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the performing governor whereas Gov. Greg Abbott is out of state.

Duncan stated authorities are wanting into whether or not Jabbar had ties to any terrorist organizations. The Islamic State terrorist group has not claimed accountability for the assault.

In his remarks, Biden stated that, hours earlier than the assault, Jabbar posted movies to social media “indicating that he was impressed by ISIS.”

However, the president added, the investigation is a “fluid” state of affairs and “nobody ought to leap to conclusions.”

Jabbar was a U.S. citizen and was honorably discharged from the Military, the FBI stated. An Military spokesperson confirmed to NPR that Jabbar served as a Human Useful resource Specialist and Data Expertise Specialist from March 2007 till January 2015 after which within the Military Reserve as an IT Specialist till July 2020. In February 2009, he deployed to Afghanistan the place he served for about 11 months. He left the service with the rank of Employees Sergeant.

Police on Wednesday have been at Jabbar’s dwelling in northwest Houston, and stated it was an lively investigation scene. The home is reduce off from the road by a big iron gate, with geese and sheep seen roaming the property, in keeping with Houston Public Media’s Rob Salinas. The Texas Newsroom reported {that a} neighbor, who did not know Jabbar by title, described the suspect as quiet and their interactions as regular.

A assessment of the Texas Secretary of State Information by the Texas Newsroom discovered that Jabbar had began a handful of realty companies in Texas. Two of them went defunct lately.

In a now-removed YouTube video for one of many companies posted 4 years in the past, Jabbar says he was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas, and spent all his life within the state aside from his time within the army.

He stated his ten years within the army is “the place I realized the that means of nice service and what it means to be responsive and take all the things significantly, dotting i’s and crossing t’s, to ensure that issues go off with no hitch.”

A Georgia State College spokesperson confirmed Jabbar attended the college from 2015 to 2017, and graduated with a enterprise administration bachelor’s diploma in pc info techniques.

New Orleans continues to be making ready to host extra high-profile occasions in coming weeks

In response to the assault, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency in New Orleans and referred to as up 100 members of a army police unit of the Louisiana Nationwide Guard to help with safety.

The order, which frees up extra state and federal sources to assist safety, comes forward of the town’s plans to host an inflow of holiday makers for a number of high-profile occasions. The Sugar Bowl — the faculty soccer playoff quarterfinal between the College of Georgia and Notre Dame — is now scheduled to go forward on Thursday afternoon. As well as, New Orleans can be gearing up for Mardi Gras season, which begins Monday, and the Tremendous Bowl on Feb. 9.

NPR’s Tom Bowman, WWNO’s Athina Morris, The Texas Newsroom’s Lauren McGaughy and Houston Public Media’s Rob Salinas and Sarah Grunau contributed to this report.