New Orleans truck attack: Claimed 15 lives, several injured

• Image Credit: Google

• Jan 2, 2025 | Parikalpita Gogoi

Digital Desk: At least 15 people lost their lives when a truck rammed into a crowd in New Orleans' Bourbon Street during the New Year celebration. The suspected terror attack left around 35 people injured on Wednesday morning. The truck driver, identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, a US Army veteran, had allegedly carried an ISIS flag in his vehicle during the time of the attack.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said that it is going to probe the incident as a terrorist attack. Shamsud was killed in a gunfight with the police officers after the incident. According to reports, the white Ford truck he used for the incident was rented.

FBI in a statement said, "The FBI is working to determine the subject's potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations."

Offering his condolences to the victims, President Joe Biden in a statement said, "My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday. I want you to know I grieve with you. Our nation grieves with you as you mourn and as you heal."

The US President further said in his statement, "There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation's communities." 

Joe Biden added that the killer was a Texas citizen, who served in the US Army for several years. Shamsud posted videos on social media about his affection for ISIS. The attacker also expressed his desire to kill people. Explosives were also found in his vehicle along with an ISIS flag. Joe Biden promised a further investigation into the incident.

On the same day, an incident of Tesla Cybertruck explosion occurred outside President-elect Donald Trump's Las Vegas hotel. Authorities are working to determine any link of this incident with the deadly New Orleans Truck attack.