The suspect in the New Orleans terror attack that left 10 dead and 35 more injured has been named.
Shamsud Din Jabbar is reported to be the man who drove a pick up truck with an ISIS flag on it into New Year’s Eve revellers on Bourbon Street, according to law enforcement officials briefed on the case speaking to NBC News.
Texas-born Jabbar then started firing at police officers before being shot dead. Officials are now working to identify more information about the 42-year-old’s background and travel history.
The sources told the outlet that they are investigating whether Jabbar used a long-gun rifle to fire at the crowd while running people over. Witnesses claim they heard gun shots that they mistook for fireworks.
The Bureau’s statement reads: « An ISIS flag was located in the vehicle and the FBI is working to determine the subject’s potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organisations.
« 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. »
Alethea Duncan from the FBI’s New Orleans branch said two law enforcement officials were injured and transported to local hospitals after Jabbar opened fire.
Jabbar was in a rented Ford pick up truck and it is currently unclear how he got his hands on the vehicle. Duncan added that he was an army vetreran believed to have been honourably discharged.
The attack happened at 3:15am local time when Jabbar, using the vehicle with a Texas licence plate, sped past safety barriers, ploughing through a crowd of pedestrians ringing in the new year.
New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno said police confirmed he was in full military gear, accoring to NBC affiliate WDSU.
In response, Donald Trump issued a statement commenting on America’s crime rate and announcing his full support for New Orleans as the city recovers.
He wrote on Truth Social: « The crime rate in our country is at a level that nobody has ever seen before. Our hearts are with all of the innocent victims and their loved ones, including the brave officers of the New Orleans Police Department.
« The Trump administration will fully support the city of New Orleans as they investigate and recover from this act of pure evil. »
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