editor
President Joe Biden has expressed profound grief and anger following a tragic attack on New Year’s Eve that left more than 10 people dead and 35 injured on Bourbon Street, a well-known celebration hotspot in New Orleans.
The attack unfolded when a man identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen and retired military veteran from Texas, drove an electric Ford F-150 Lightning truck through a crowd gathered to ring in the new year. The horrifying rampage ended with the driver indiscriminately firing shots at revelers. Law enforcement later discovered a flag linked to the terrorist group ISIS inside the vehicle.
In an emotional address from the White House, President Biden offered his condolences to the victims and their families. “To everyone who lost loved ones, to those recovering from injuries, and to the people of New Orleans, know that I am grieving with you. We will stand together to confront this senseless violence,” Biden said.
The FBI has officially classified the incident as a terrorist attack and is investigating possible links between this event and a truck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas that occurred just hours earlier. “While we currently have no evidence connecting the two incidents, our investigations are thorough and ongoing,” Biden added.
Witnesses described the chaos as the truck silently breached barricades set up to protect revelers, mowing through the crowd before the driver began firing. The quiet operation of the electric vehicle reportedly allowed it to approach unnoticed, catching people off guard.
Authorities have indicated that Jabbar may not have acted alone. FBI officials are pursuing leads to identify potential accomplices or networks involved in planning the attack.
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They emphasized that all available resources are being deployed to uncover the truth and ensure public safety.
“We will not let fear dictate our lives,” Biden assured. “Our country is built on resilience, and justice will prevail against those who seek to harm us.”
The nation mourns, security has been tightened across major cities, with heightened vigilance at public events and gatherings. Law enforcement agencies have urged communities to report any suspicious behavior, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring safety.
