A former US Army veteran, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year revelers in New Orleans on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens.
Authorities have labeled the incident an act of terrorism inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS).
The 42-year-old suspect, a Texas-based real estate agent and former military IT specialist, was killed in a shootout with police after the attack.
Two officers were injured in the confrontation, and two homemade bombs found in the vehicle were successfully neutralized.
US President Joe Biden condemned the attack, calling it “despicable,” and revealed that Jabbar had posted videos online expressing allegiance to ISIS.
Investigators are also probing potential links between this incident and a separate explosion in Las Vegas involving a Tesla Cybertruck near a hotel owned by President-elect Donald Trump.
FBI officials have stated that Jabbar likely did not act alone and are conducting search operations across New Orleans and other states.
Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick confirmed that an ISIS flag was discovered in the vehicle.
The attack took place at 3:15 a.m. near Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, a popular location packed with New Year celebrations. Law enforcement agencies are continuing investigations and actively searching for possible accomplices.
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