NEW ORLEANS – A devastating attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter on New Year’s Day has prompted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to order state police to investigate because the attacker was a Texas resident.
The attack involved a driver who rammed a pickup truck into a crowd, killing 10 people and injuring more than 30, before being shot dead by police. Two officers were also wounded.
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The attack occurred around 3:15 a.m. on Bourbon Street near Canal Street, an area bustling with New Year’s revelers.
The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism.
“An ISIS flag was located in the vehicle and the FBI is working to determine the subject’s potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations,” the FBI said in a statement. “Weapons and a potential IED were located in the subject’s vehicle. Other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter. The FBI’s Special Agent Bomb Technicians are working with our law enforcement partners to determine if any of these devices are viable and they will work to render those devices safe. The FBI is the lead investigative agency, and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism.”
Driver identified
The driver, identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, was killed in a firefight with police after emerging from the vehicle and opening fire.
The Ford F150 truck used in the attack was rented through the Turo app, a car-sharing platform.
Rodrigo Diaz, the truck’s owner, confirmed he rented the vehicle to an individual through Turo and is cooperating with the FBI.
Two different surveillance camera views showed the beginning of the incident and some nearby police officers’ response.
Abbott commands DPS investigation
Gov. Abbott said the Texas Department of Public Safety has briefed him and has commanded it to investigate the attack thoroughly.
“Our prayers go out to the victims of this heinous crime in New Orleans,” Abbott said on X, formerly Twitter.
Abbott emphasized the need to ensure that no one in Texas faces any safety threat, stating, “I am treating this as a terrorist attack and will work closely with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas National Guard, and law enforcement at every level.”
Abbott said Texas is committed to analyzing every detail of the attack to prevent similar attacks in the future.
“We will work to ensure we know exactly what happened, that the danger is contained, and that every detail is analyzed to make sure there is no other attack like this,” he said.
Our prayers go out to the victims of this heinous crime in New Orleans. I have been briefed by the Texas Department of Public Safety on this attack and commanded them to get to the bottom of it immediately with a special focus to ensure no one in Texas faces any safety threat. I…
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX)
Investigators are searching the French Quarter for potential explosive devices, with at least two suspected improvised explosive devices being examined, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press.
The area, known for its New Year’s Eve celebrations, was filled with college football fans in town for the Sugar Bowl playoff game.
President Joe Biden has also addressed the incident, labeling it a “horrific incident” and an “act of terrorism.” He assured that every resource is being made available to authorities as they work to uncover the details of the attack.
The attack in New Orleans is the latest in a series of incidents where vehicles have been used as weapons, a trend that has raised concerns among law enforcement officials.
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