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Link to President Joe Biden urged full disclosure of the tragedy, sending a message of condemnation: ‘There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attacks against our communities’President Joe Biden urged full disclosure of the tragedy, sending a message of condemnation: ‘There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attacks against our communities’
by Janice McAllister
The year 2025 in the United States begins with a terrorist tragedy, with the shadow of Isis or other international extremist organisations. The attack targeted three elements: an innocent crowd, a New Year’s Eve party, and one of the world’s most famous cities. The French quarter of New Orleans, known for its carnival and jazz, was the scene of a massacre. Shortly after 3 a.m., a white pick-up truck came barreling through the crowd, mowing down dozens of people who were still celebrating the arrival of the New Year, including residents and tourists. Bodies flew into the air, while screams drowned out the music of the locals. People tried to run and get to safety as best they could. At the end of the rush, dozens of injured people were left on the ground and at least 10 dead (according to other sources, 15) and no less than 30 injured, all numbers that could increase in the coming hours. The gunman, after finishing his mad dash, started firing an assault rifle, but was shot down by the police, two of whom were injured, but not seriously.
Authorities immediately ruled out the possibility of an accident caused by drunkenness. The governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, spoke of a ‘horrific act of violence’, and the mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, together with the local police commander, Anne Kirkpatrick, called the incident an ‘act of terrorism’. The police confirmed that the gunman was intentional and determined, aiming to hit as many people as possible. After initial confusion on the part of an FBI agent, who denied the terrorist motive, the FBI officially confirmed the terrorist nature of the attack.
In the meantime, federal forces took control of the investigation and intervened to defuse two explosive devices found in the pick-up truck, which, had they exploded, could have increased the number of victims. Other explosive devices were found in the French Quarter.
President Joe Biden, who has been kept constantly updated, urged that the tragedy be fully investigated, sending a message of condemnation: ‘There is no justification for violence of any kind, and we will not tolerate any attacks against our communities. However, Biden avoided premature speculation, unlike Donald Trump, who immediately linked the attack to illegal immigration, without any official confirmation. ‘When I said that the criminals coming in are far more dangerous than the ones we have at home, the Democrats and the media denied it, but it turned out to be true,’ he wrote on Truth, adding that ’the Trump Administration will fully support New Orleans.’
Shortly afterwards, the identity of the assailant was revealed: he is Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a 42-year-old man from Houston, Texas. Although of Arab origin, Jabbar was a US citizen and army veteran with financial problems related to a divorce case. His pick-up truck, a white Ford F-150, had a black Isis flag on the bumper, which immediately attracted the attention of the FBI. The investigation is looking into whether Jabbar was a radicalised lone wolf in America or whether he was connected to Isis or other terrorist organisations. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the possibility of other accomplices is being seriously considered.
‘The FBI does not believe Jabbar was solely responsible,’ said FBI Special Assistant, Alethea Duncan.
Meanwhile, security controversy is growing, especially that steel barriers, installed after the vehicle attack in Nice in 2016, were not in place as planned. Jimmy Cothran, a witness who was on Bourbon Street, told CNN that the steel barriers, usually erected to protect the crowd, had not been installed. ‘The barriers were those flimsy orange ones that you could push with your finger,’ he said. This raised concerns that security for New Year’s Eve had been insufficient.
Meanwhile, it was decided as a precautionary measure to postpone the Sugar Bowl, one of the most watched college football games, by 24 hours.
(Associated Medias) – All rights are reserved
L'articolo New Orleans, New Year begins with terrorist tragedy: at least 10 dead and 30 injured proviene da Associated Medias.
(Associated Medias) - All rights reserved