President-elect Donald Trump stirred controversy with his response to the deadly New Year's Day attack in New Orleans that claimed 15 lives.
According to Newsweek, Trump took to Truth Social claiming the attack proved his statements about criminals "coming in" to the United States were correct, despite law enforcement confirming the suspect was born in America.
FBI Assistant Special Agent Alethea Duncan revealed that the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, was a U.S.-born citizen from Texas. The incident occurred when a truck plowed through crowds of New Year's revelers on Bourbon Street, leaving at least 30 people injured among the fatalities. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
Initial confusion surrounding the attack stemmed from a Fox News report citing unnamed federal sources claiming the truck had entered the U.S. through Eagle Pass, Texas, two days prior to the incident. Trump posted his response shortly after this report, though Fox News later revised their reporting to indicate the truck had crossed the border on November 16, with the driver's identity not matching the shooter.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick emphasized the intentional nature of the attack. She noted that despite having over 300 officers deployed, the perpetrator managed to circumvent barricades to carry out the attack.
The FBI has reportedly reviewed surveillance footage showing three men and a woman placing an improvised explosive device in the French Quarter, according to an intelligence bulletin cited by The Associated Press.
President Joe Biden issued a statement promising continued updates while expressing sympathy for the victims. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill also responded to the tragedy with calls for prayer and justice.
Trump posted on Truth Social:
When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true. 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!
This attack marks the second incident involving a vehicle as a weapon during the holiday season, following a similar attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, on December 20 that resulted in five deaths and hundreds of injuries.
Law enforcement officials have established a perimeter around the affected area, asking the public to avoid Bourbon Street north from Canal to Dumaine Streets, as well as east to Royal Street and west to Dauphine Street until further notice.
The incident ended in a deadly confrontation with police at approximately 3:15 a.m., resulting in the suspect's death. Authorities are actively seeking additional information from the public regarding the attack.
FBI investigators have arrived at the scene to conduct a thorough investigation, with particular attention being paid to a flag reportedly seen on the back of the truck, though details about this potential evidence have not been disclosed.
A Texas-born individual named Shamsud Din Jabbar carried out the deadly New Year's Day attack in New Orleans, driving a rental truck into crowds celebrating on Bourbon Street. The incident, which claimed 15 lives and injured at least 30 others, ended in a fatal shootout with police. The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism, with authorities requesting public assistance while maintaining restricted access to the affected areas during the ongoing investigation.
