Just hours before ramming a pickup truck through a crowd of New Year’s Eve revelers in New Orleans, the attacker’s social media posts revealed he was inspired by the terrorist group Islamic State, U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed.
Biden, citing FBI information, stated that the assailant “posted videos on social media indicating that he was inspired by ISIS, expressing the desire to kill.”
The attack occurred early on New Year’s Day, killing at least 15 and injuring dozens more. Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said the driver appeared intent on running over as many people as possible, describing his actions as deliberate and aimed at causing maximum carnage.
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din J from Texas, engaged in a gunfight with officers, injuring two, before he was killed in the confrontation. The FBI has classified the incident as an “act of terrorism.”
Biden confirmed that the assailant was a U.S. citizen, born in Texas, who had served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve. Authorities also found explosive devices in the vehicle, and an Islamic State flag was discovered inside.
While it remains unclear if the attacker had accomplices, investigators are reviewing surveillance footage of a group of four people, initially suspected of planting explosives. However, they were later ruled out as suspects.
