A 42-year-old man threw a car into crowds celebrating New Year’s Eve. There are still dozens of injured
The number of fatalities from the terrorist attack in New Orleans, in the United States, on New Year’s Eve, has risen to at least 15. The latest assessment was made by the New Orleans coroner, Dwight McKenna.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that unfolded in the French Quarter. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the victims, their families and all those affected,” reads an official statement from the official.
“So far, 15 people have died. It will take several days to carry out all the autopsies. As soon as we finish the autopsies and speak with the next of kin, we will release the identities of the victims”, the same document reads.
Dwight McKenna adds that his office is working in coordination “with the New Orleans Police Department, the FBI and Homeland Security.” “We remain committed to supporting the community during this tragic time in our city,” he emphasizes.
Authorities identified the person responsible for the collision as Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42 years old, several North American media reported citing police sources.
According to CNN International, which cites two sources familiar with the investigation, the suspect was a North American citizen.
Also according to CNN, the man was carrying an Islamic State flag at the time of the incident. One of the sources also said that several suspected explosive devices were found in a refrigerator in the van used in the attack.
The truck used in the attack was registered to the car rental website Turo, the vehicle’s owner told CNN in a text message. Two federal law enforcement officials also told CNN that the truck did not belong to the suspect. One of the sources added that it was rented on a website that owners use to rent their own cars.
This Wednesday morning (around 03:00 local time), a in the southern United States. At least ten people died and more than 30 were injured.
The FBI is investigating this attack “as a possible act of terrorism.”
“The FBI is the lead investigative agency and we are working with our partners to investigate this as an act of terrorism,” the official source said.
In the early hours of the morning, in a brief press conference, the mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, already considered it a “terrorist attack”.
The attack took place during New Year’s celebrations and when the city was also packed with people for the Sugar Bowl, a college football game that takes place today with the presence of thousands of people.
Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick told the press that the attack was intentional and that the driver was “strongly determined to cause carnage”. He also stated that authorities are working to ensure the safety of the Sugar Bowl.
US media cited several witnesses who said a truck drove at high speed into the crowd, with the driver getting out and starting to fire a gun and police returning fire.
Information cited by news agencies states that two police officers were shot and injured.
