Just hours before driving a pickup truck into a New Orleans street filled with New Year’s Eve revelers, the attacker’s social media activity suggested he was inspired by the terrorist organization Islamic State, according to U.S. President Joe Biden.
Citing FBI intelligence, Biden told reporters, “The attacker shared videos on social media expressing allegiance to ISIS and a desire to kill.”
Biden made these remarks on Wednesday, following the early New Year’s Day attack that left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured.
The President referred to the Islamic State by its common acronym ISIS, which is also known as IS or Daesh in the Middle East and other parts of the world.
New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick stated that the suspect aimed “to run over as many people as possible.” She described his actions as “deliberately focused on causing carnage and destruction.”
Authorities reported that the incident occurred at 3:15 a.m. (0915 GMT) in a popular area known for drawing large crowds during major events.
The attacker reportedly engaged in a gunfight with police, injuring two officers before being fatally shot. The FBI identified the suspect as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din J, a U.S.-born resident of Texas.
The incident is being investigated as an “act of terrorism.”
Biden emphasized that the investigation confirmed the perpetrator’s U.S. citizenship.
“The FBI has reported to me that the killer was an American citizen, born in Texas,” Biden told reporters.
“He served in the United States army on active duty for many years. He also served in the army reserve until a few years ago,” he added.
President Joe Biden reiterated investigators’ findings that potential explosive devices were discovered both inside the pickup truck used in the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans and in the vicinity of the vehicle.
Biden, citing FBI reports, also noted that an Islamic State flag was found within the truck.
Despite the devastating attack, questions remain about whether the perpetrator, who was killed during his rampage, acted alone. U.S. media reported on Wednesday that investigators are reviewing surveillance footage showing a group of four individuals acting suspiciously near the scene.
Initially, authorities suspected that this group may have planted explosive devices in the neighborhood. However, they were later ruled out as suspects, according to media reports.
Earlier, FBI investigator Alethea Duncan suggested the possibility of additional involvement, stating that investigators did not believe the driver acted entirely alone.