The suspect accused of driving a truck through a crowd on Bourbon street in New Orleans, killing 15 people and injuring at least 36, has been identified as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, according to two federal officials.
He was reportedly born and raised in Texas and had served in the Army.
His criminal history includes theft and driving on suspended license.
The FBI says it believes New Orleans terror suspect was not solely responsible
The FBI confirmed earlier the incident is being treated as an “act of terrorism” and the perpetrator was killed after the attack.
The FBI said an Islamic State group flag was found in the vehicle and they are investigating the attack as an “act of terrorism”
Investigators are “working to determine” the suspect’s potential affiliations with terror groups, the agency said. Potential explosive devices were found in the truck and elsewhere in the area.
Law enforcement officials have recovered a handgun and an AR-style rifle from the scene of this morning’s attack, an official has told the media.
Local media reports that the Ford F-150 Lightning truck used in the attack was apparently rented through the Turo app — a car sharing company.
According to Rodrigo Diaz, the owner of the truck. Diaz told journalists he rented the truck to an individual through the app and is currently talking to the FBI.
Diaz wife, Dora Diaz, said she and her husband are devastated by the incident.
The FBI has also released details about its investigation, saying a potential improvised explosive device (IED) and weapons were found in the suspect’s vehicle.
It adds that “other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter” – the historic area of New Orleans where Bourbon Street is located.
Their bomb technicians are working to see if they are “viable” and to make them safe.
The organisers of the Sugar Bowl have said they will postpone their match scheduled for new year.
The American college football match is a major championship that features top teams, with thousands of people expected to attend the game in New Orleans between the University of Georgia and Notre Dame.
The Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia was postponed until Thursday due to terror attack in New Orleans.
US President Joe Biden says he is “grateful for the brave and swift response of local law enforcement in preventing even greater death and injury”.
In a written statement, he added that he’s directed his team to “ensure every resource is available” as officials work to get to the bottom of the situation and “to ensure that there is no remaining threat of any kind.”
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday. There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attack on any of our nation’s communities,” Biden says.
After releasing the statement, Biden, speaking to reporters, says his reaction to the news was “one of anger and frustration”.
President-elect Donald Trump has issued a statement in response to the incident in New Orleans.
In a post on the social media network, Truth Social, the incoming US leader wrote: “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.”
In a post on social media network, Truth Social, Trump wrote: “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 FBI has confirmed the deadly attack is being investigated as an “act of terrorism” and the suspect is dead.
Trump added in his post: “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.”
Data from the FBI shows violent crime has been down across America as of 2023.
Ten people were killed and at least 35 injured after a man drove a pick-up truck into a large crowd. The incident occurred at approximately 03:15 local time (09:15 GMT) in the French Quarter – an area popular with visitors to the southern US city in Louisiana. Witnesses describe the “horrific” scene as bystanders rushed to assist victims or ran for cover. Police say the driver was “hell-bent on creating the carnage he did” and also opened fire on officers. In an earlier press conference, the FBI had said an improvised explosive device was found at the scene and agents are assessing its viability.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@kahawatungu.com or WhatsApp +254707482874