FBI Investigating New Orleans Attack as Possible Act of Terrorism
A man opened fire on law enforcement officers.
The FBI has confirmed that the vehicular incident in New Orleans on New Year’s is being investigated as potential terrorism.
“The FBI is the primary agency leading the investigation, and we are collaborating with our partners to treat this incident as an act of terrorism,” a representative of the agency stated in an email to The Epoch Times.
In a news conference held a few hours post-incident, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell expressed that the city was “affected by a terrorist attack.” However, shortly after, Alethea Duncan, the assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s office in New Orleans, commented that it was “not labeled a terrorist event,” despite the discovery of an improvised explosive device.
The New Orleans Police Department reported that the man killed 10 individuals and injured approximately 35 others.
“This individual was attempting to run over as many people as he could,” remarked New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick during a press briefing.
“He was determined to cause the destruction and harm that he inflicted,” she added afterward.
Following the vehicle crash, the man fired at law enforcement personnel.
Two officers who were hit are currently in stable condition.
New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno shared that the suspect was dressed in military attire.
“The information I received indicates that this individual was fully clad in military gear, appears to be from out of town, and was well-prepared to inflict severe harm on the individuals on Bourbon Street,” she stated to WWL-TV.
President Joe Biden expressed to reporters that he could not comment on specific details until he had a complete understanding of “all the facts” regarding the incident but mentioned that his reaction was one of “anger and frustration.”