New Year’s celebrations in New Orleans turned tragic early Wednesday morning after terrorists mowed down revelers on the city’s iconic Bourbon Street, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens. announced the authorities.
The driver, Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, was shot dead in a gunfight with police after plowing into the crowd, and two officers were injured. Mr. Jabbar grew up in Texas and is believed to have served in the military for 10 years, officials told the Post.
He drove an electric pickup truck with a black ISIS flag in the back and broke through a barricade at the corner of Bourbon and Canal streets. The FBI has not yet confirmed his ties or possible ties to ISIS.
At least three improvised pipe bombs, including one in Jabbar’s truck, were discovered near the city’s famous French Quarter. Officials said two were homemade with nails hidden inside a blue cooler.
The FBI said Wednesday afternoon that it does not believe the terrorists were “solely responsible,” and a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said three men and a woman were carrying devices throughout the historic district. It was revealed that he was seen hiding it.
“This is not just an act of terrorism. This is evil,” New Orleans Police Chief Ann Kirkpatrick said at a news conference Wednesday.
Mr Kirkpatrick previously said Mr Jabbar was “dedicated to creating genocide and the harm it caused.” “This guy was trying to run over as many people as possible.”
