A devastating terrorist attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter early Wednesday morning has left at least 10 people dead and 35 injured. Authorities have confirmed the suspect had an ISIS flag in his possession, raising concerns about potential affiliations with the terrorist organization.
The FBI announced the incident is being treated as an act of terrorism. The attacker, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, rammed a rented Ford pickup truck into a crowd of pedestrians before exiting the vehicle and opening fire on police. Jabbar was ultimately killed by law enforcement officers during the chaotic scene.
In a statement, the FBI revealed that the ISIS flag was discovered in the vehicle, alongside weapons and a potential improvised explosive device (IED). “We are actively working to confirm the suspect’s associations with terrorist organizations,” the FBI said.
Additional potential explosive devices were discovered in the French Quarter, prompting bomb squads to secure the area. Special Agent Bomb Technicians are currently assessing the viability of these devices and rendering them safe.
The investigation continues as law enforcement partners collaborate to uncover the full extent of the suspect’s network and intentions. The attack marks a tragic start to the new year and has heightened concerns over domestic security threats tied to global terrorism.